Can Winrar Files Trigger a VAC Ban?

[Tiernan]

Hello everyone. I do have a quick question. To play multiplayer on a game in which I have, Star Wars Battlefront II, it required a Winrar file to do so. I had recieved the file from a friend Via Skype, and it is secure. I just got this computer recently. I am wondering if Winrar files can trigger a VAC ban. I have been purposely avoiding my favorite game, Team Fortress Classic because I feel that it just might trigger a VAC ban. I know that it says that only bll and exe files trigger them, I just want to be 100% sure. The icon that I see (on windows 7) is showing 3 books stacked upon one another with what looks to be a belt holding them together. If you could give me an answer, that would be great!

[GhostSailor]

WinRAR itself does not trigger a VAC issued ban - However, it's just an archive of zipped files, and the files themselves could potentially be flagged as cheats, and flag your account. I'd be skeptical and use caution of receiving such files, executable(s), and other suspicious files.

[Tiernan]

well I did not recieve them from a suspicious source, because they work just fine ingame. No harm has been caused to my computer. I am just wondering if it will if I play at all.

[GhostSailor]

Originally posted by TheMysteryPigMan:

well I did not recieve them from a suspicious source, because they work just fine ingame. No harm has been caused to my computer. I am just wondering if it will if I play at all.

If it's third-party software, "cheats", or anything relevant (refer here:
Valve Anti-Cheat System (VAC)), your account could be subject to a VAC ban.

If they're common things such as configuration files, text files, etc, then you're fine. I'm unaware of the specifics, and since the VAC system is obscure to the public, there's no *definite* answer to give.

[Tiernan]

I have just looked into the file. The is an exe inside that I am worried about. that's all there is to it. I do feel as though that exe could trigger it quite possibly.

[Theblaze]

I would be careful with executables. If you are not sure what it is or what exactly doing it, remove it otherwise scan the File with multiple Antivirus Engines using the Website https://www.virustotal.com.

[Tiernan]

Thanks. I am debating wheather just to play VAC secured games on my old computer instead of this one for that sole reason.

[ KARR™]

Battlefront II doesn't use VAC - you cannot get vac banned in the game.

[Tiernan]

you're not understanding. The file you need to play multiplayer because Gamespy discontinued the multiplayer service. Now, a third party developer created the program to work with it now. I am worried that the exe that is needed could trigger a VAC ban.

[Theblaze]

If the File is still available on the official Site, I suggest you to download it there to make sure it's not some sort of fake or infected with something.

But as mentioned already, you don't get VAC banned as the Game itself is not using VAC.

[Tiernan]

I was worried about the file because it is on my computer. I have been avoiding Team Fortress Classic because I do not want it to detect it on my computer and VAC ban me. I am not worried at all about SWBFII in this.

[Creep]

valve does not scan our files that would be an invasion of privacy.

you can get banned for running cheats wile connected to a VAC secured server or for core file modifications.

[Dead Shot]

Cheats inside the winrar file can trigger bans, winrar alone, no.

[Tiernan]

That's what I meant to be asking. The file on my computer may be active from playing recently, not running that I would know of.

[Creep]

I never seen files jump out of rar files and execute themself.
but if you ran the cheat inside the rar file your whole question was wrong to start with.

[Tiernan]

i'd rather just play itself in case I keep the file open sometime and it detects it delayed or not. Thanks for responding.