Cities: Skylines 2 Players May Have Been Infected by Malware

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Cities: Skylines 2 Players May Have Been Infected by Malware

Key Takeaways

  • Publisher Paradox Interactive reveals popular Cities: Skylines 2 Traffic mod was updated with a malicious file.
  • Users who downloaded and played the mod between October 28 and 31 have been urged to secure their systems.
  • Paradox says the mod is now safe to use and has reached out to its creator to help them secure their account.

As a long-time fan of Cities: Skylines and its captivating world of urban planning, I’ve seen it all – from the bustling metropolises to the quaint suburban neighborhoods. However, this latest development regarding the Traffic mod for Cities: Skylines 2 has left me a bit concerned.

In a recent statement, game publisher Paradox Interactive has advised caution following the discovery of a potential security issue with the popular Traffic mod for Cities: Skylines 2. The mod, which was updated on October 28, may have inadvertently included a harmful file. While Paradox assures users that the mod is now safe, they recommend anyone who played Cities: Skylines 2 with this mod between October 28 and October 31 to take precautions and secure their systems.

The Cities: Skylines series consistently attracts a vibrant modding community, and the developers at Colossal Order are known for embracing user-created mods not only in the original game but also its 2023 successor, Cities: Skylines 2. Some of the game’s top mods offer players the ability to revamp traffic systems, place objects freely, and even extend beyond the game’s 25-tile limit with over three times that amount. Regrettably, it appears that one of the sequel’s most beloved mods might have been temporarily compromised by malware.

Popular Cities: Skylines 2 Mod May Have Been Malicious

On its official site, Paradox Interactive announced a potential security concern related to the ‘Traffic’ mod for Cities: Skylines 2. The publisher stated that on October 28, an unidentified individual uploaded an update to the mod containing a new .dll file, which Paradox believes may have been malicious. Although they assure the current version (released on October 31 at 15:35 CET) is safe for download and use, they advise players who have used the mod with Cities: Skylines 2 to take precautions to secure their system.

If you’ve used the Traffic mod in Cities: Skylines 2, Paradox recommends checking your game files, particularly in this location: %localappdata%low\Colossal Order\Cities Skylines II\.cache\Mods\mods_subscribed\ inside the folder 80095_13. If you don’t find the 80095_13 folder, it means your system is not infected with potential malware related to this mod. However, if you do see this folder, Paradox advises using an antivirus program to isolate or delete it from your system for safety purposes. Additionally, to safeguard other Cities: Skylines 2 mods from similar problems, Paradox plans to thoroughly examine all uploaded files so that users can continue to use them without worry and with enhanced security.

It’s important to mention that the problem with the Traffic mod doesn’t seem to originate from the creator. According to Paradox, they have engaged the modder and discussed preventive measures to safeguard their account. Although this issue isn’t directly caused by Paradox, it adds to a growing list of challenges for the publisher, particularly for its popular city-building game.

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2024-11-01 15:54