Page 1 of 1

GuideMe Security Risks?

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2021 9:04 pm
by SilverDuck
Hi folks. Please pardon my technical ignorance, but I’m wondering what sort of security risks installing and using GuideMe might pose. I assume GuideMe itself and the Downloader are both executables and could theoretically do anything once installed, but I gather enough people with programming knowledge have seen the code to be reasonably sure there’s nothing malicious in it? Assuming that’s the case, my concern is really more about what the individual teases you download could do when you run them. Could they contain malicious scripts or exploit a vulnerability in GuideMe that would enable them access to the computer beyond just running inside the GuideMe program? If so, would a decent anti-virus / ant-malware program catch that?

Note that I definitely don’t mean to cast any aspersions at the awesome people who took the time and trouble to create GuideMe, the Downloader, and all the teases. I’m just trying to educate myself a little and do some “due diligence” before downloading anything off “teh internets”. :-)

Re: GuideMe Security Risks?

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2021 9:09 pm
by Spielers
Guideme is open source so there is no risk.
Also the Teases are safe, just remeber to do only things you feel comfortable with.
All work offline so there is also no risk.
In my opinion you can download it and install it without getting a maleware.

Re: GuideMe Security Risks?

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 3:31 am
by SilverDuck
Awesome! Thanks, Spieiers.

Re: GuideMe Security Risks?

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 1:12 pm
by leezer3
Spielers wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 9:09 pm Guideme is open source so there is no risk.
Also the Teases are safe, just remeber to do only things you feel comfortable with.
All work offline so there is also no risk.
In my opinion you can download it and install it without getting a maleware.
Can I just make a small correction there ;-)
In terms of fundamental principles, open-source is no less risky than closed source.
There is however, an expectation that open-source code has been peer reviewed, which is where this missaprehnsion comes from.
For something like GuideMe (or TeaseAI), I'd guess that the members who understand the source are in a vanishingly small minority. Of those of us who do understand the source, I'd guess an even smaller minority have bothered to look at the code itself :-)

Is there realistically *likely* to be any risk?
Highly unlikely- It's a relatively old program with an active userbase on a moderated forum. If something 'funny' was up, it's likely that we'd have noticed by now.

The bottom line though is that like any program you download from the internet, you should perform your own due dilligence. Virus scans before running are never a bad thing.

Re: GuideMe Security Risks?

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 7:14 pm
by SilverDuck
Roger that, leezer3. I plan to repurpose an old laptop with a clean Windows install and zero non-porn personal info/use specifically for this stuff, and run an anti-virus check on downloads for sure. Hopefully that’ll do the trick!