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ProtoTyler Oct 31, 2017 @ 7:41pm
Can steam game keyes give you viruses?
Possibly a dumb question, but is it possible to get a virus by using a steam game key? I bought a steam game key off Ebay and want to make sure I am safe.

Thanks in advance.
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Showing 1-9 of 9 comments
Grogwind Oct 31, 2017 @ 7:45pm 
No but buying second hand keys or keys from a unofficial source give the risk of the key being invalid or have already been used.
Last edited by Grogwind; Oct 31, 2017 @ 7:48pm
#1
SpunkyJones Oct 31, 2017 @ 7:46pm 
It’s a key, not s program. It’s just a bunch of letter &numbers you type in. Bigger worry would be that it’s fske or used.
#2
ProtoTyler Oct 31, 2017 @ 7:47pm 
Originally posted by SpunkyJones:
It’s a key, not s program. It’s just a bunch of letter &numbers you type in. Bigger worry would be that it’s fske or used.


Originally posted by Grogwind:
No but buying second hand keys or keys from a unofficial source givebthe risk of the key being invalid or have already been used.

Thanks so much for the replies! I have used the keyes and they worked.
#3
zitzy2000 Sep 2, 2019 @ 4:59am 
So I think I'm getting scammed, but if someone gave me a steam key, and I put it in steam, what are the ramifications if any that could happen.
#4
Cathulhu Sep 2, 2019 @ 5:03am 
In the worst case, the key is revoked and the game removed from your account.
#5
zitzy2000 Sep 2, 2019 @ 5:11am 
So it cant contain a virus and or cant put a ban on my account, or delete my account?
#6
ReBoot Sep 2, 2019 @ 6:05am 
Originally posted by zitzy2000:
So it cant contain a virus and or cant put a ban on my account, or delete my account?
Originally posted by Cathulhu:
In the worst case, the key is revoked and the game removed from your account.
Emphasis on "worst case".
#7
Cathulhu Sep 2, 2019 @ 6:08am 
Originally posted by zitzy2000:
So it cant contain a virus and or cant put a ban on my account, or delete my account?
Virus? No. Absolutely not. It's just 15 characters, numbers and letters. Not some executable code.
Ban on your account? Well, in theory yes, but extremely unlikely. For that to happen you'd have to be involved in a revoked product key several times to look like you're trying to continously use stolen or fraudulently acquired product keys. While in theory it could happen, i haven't heard of a case where it actually did.
As i said, the worst that will happen, is that the key gets revoked.
Last edited by Cathulhu; Sep 2, 2019 @ 6:09am
#8
zitzy2000 Sep 2, 2019 @ 6:10am 
Ok, thank you very much
#9
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Date Posted: Oct 31, 2017 @ 7:41pm
Posts: 9
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