Game Mod Guard

Read-only safety checker for downloaded game mods and mod archives.

Game Mod Guard helps players review Farming Simulator, American Truck Simulator, Euro Truck Simulator, and other game mod downloads before installing them. It does not prove a mod is safe, but it catches common "stop and look closer" signs: executables hiding in archives, scripts, nested archives, shortcut files, odd file types, and Microsoft Defender detections when Defender is available.

What It Does

• Scans files, folders, .zip, and .scs archives without running the mod.
• Computes SHA-256 hashes for downloaded files.
• Flags risky file types such as .exe, .msi, .bat, .cmd, .ps1, .js, .vbs, .scr, and .lnk.
• Flags nested archives and very large archives for review.
• Calls Microsoft Defender on Windows when MpCmdRun.exe is available.
• Prints a simple result: SAFE-LOOKING, REVIEW, or STOP.
• Gives plain removal guidance, but never deletes anything.

Easiest Windows Setup

This is the simple version for normal players.

1. Install Python from the Microsoft Store or from https://www.python.org/downloads/. During install, turn on Add python.exe to PATH if you see that checkbox.
2. Go to the Game Mod Guard GitHub page.
3. Click the green Code button.
4. Click Download ZIP.
5. Open your Downloads folder.
6. Right-click the downloaded game-mod-guard-main.zip.
7. Click Extract All....
8. Open the extracted game-mod-guard-main folder.
9. Find scan-mod.bat.
10. Drag a downloaded mod file onto scan-mod.bat.

You do not need to unzip the game mod first. Drag the mod download itself, such as .zip, .scs, or a mod folder, onto scan-mod.bat.

If Windows asks whether to run the batch file, choose Run. Game Mod Guard is read-only: it scans and reports, but it does not delete or change the mod.

Important: the GitHub ZIP download does not auto-update. To update this simple version later, download the newest ZIP from GitHub again and extract it over the old folder.

Normal Use

After setup, use it like this:

1. Download a mod.
2. Do not open or install it yet.
3. Drag the downloaded mod onto scan-mod.bat.
4. Read the result.

If it says SAFE-LOOKING, the scanner did not find its known warning signs.

If it says REVIEW, ask a technical friend to check it before installing.

If it says STOP, do not install it. Delete that downloaded mod and get the mod from a safer source.

Brayden / Computer Friend Setup

If you are comfortable with Python packages, install from PyPI:

py -m pip install --user game-mod-guard

Run it:

py -m game_mod_guard "C:\Users\you\Downloads\some-mod.zip"

Upgrade later:

py -m pip install --user --upgrade game-mod-guard

If Windows put Python scripts on PATH, this also works:

game-mod-guard "C:\Users\you\Downloads\some-mod.zip"

For release/publishing notes, see docs/PUBLISHING.md.

Command Line Use

Windows:

python game_mod_guard.py "C:\Users\you\Downloads\some-mod.zip"

Linux/macOS:

python3 game_mod_guard.py ~/Downloads/some-mod.zip

Scan several downloads at once:

python3 game_mod_guard.py ~/Downloads/mod1.zip ~/Downloads/mod2.scs

Write a JSON report:

python3 game_mod_guard.py ~/Downloads/mod.zip --json report.json

How To Read Results

SAFE-LOOKING means Game Mod Guard did not find its known local warning signs. It is not a guarantee. Prefer official sources like GIANTS ModHub, Steam Workshop, and trusted mod communities.

REVIEW means the mod has something unusual: scripts, nested archives, unexpected file types, a huge archive, or the scanner could not inspect all contents. Ask a technical friend to review before installing.

STOP means the mod contains executable-style content or Microsoft Defender reported a detection. Do not install it. Delete the downloaded mod file and get the mod from a safer source.

If Python Is Missing

If scan-mod.bat says Python is missing:

1. Open the Microsoft Store.
2. Search for Python.
3. Install the newest Python 3 version.
4. Try dragging the mod onto scan-mod.bat again.

Brayden/computer-friend route: install Python from https://www.python.org/downloads/ and enable Add python.exe to PATH during install.

Good Habits

• Avoid .exe installers for normal mods.
• Avoid password-protected archives.
• Avoid "download manager" buttons and random mirror sites.
• Keep Windows Security / Microsoft Defender enabled.
• Prefer official ModHub and Steam Workshop downloads.

Scope

This is a local, read-only scanner. It does not upload files, contact a cloud scanner, remove malware, or modify mods. If you already ran a suspicious file, use Windows Security Offline Scan or ask a trusted technician for help.