Valve Removes Steam Game “PirateFi” After Malware Discovery

Valve has removed the game PirateFi from Steam after discovering that its builds contained suspected malware.

The company issued warnings to affected users, advising them to conduct a full-system antivirus scan and even consider a complete operating system reformat to remove potential threats.

The issue came to light when Valve identified malicious files within PirateFi builds uploaded by the game's developer. The company promptly removed the game from its platform and sent notifications to users who had launched it. The message shared on Reddit and on X highlighted the risk that malicious files may have been executed on users' systems. While Valve did not disclose the exact nature of the malware, its strong recommendation to fully reinstall Windows suggests a potentially severe threat.

PirateFi was an indie survival game released on February 6, 2025. It marketed itself as a multiplayer and single-player experience set in a vibrant, low-poly world. Despite being a relatively new title, it had garnered a 9/10 rating from 51 reviews before its removal. The number of users who downloaded or played the game remains unknown, but the incident underscores how even well-rated games can harbor hidden dangers.

Malware infections via Steam games are not unprecedented. Hackers have previously exploited the platform to spread malware, particularly targeting gamers with infostealer trojans and self-propagating viruses. Similar attacks have affected other gaming platforms as well, including Call of Duty players in 2023 and Apex Legends esports participants, where a hacker took control of competitors' computers. The deep access that Steam games have on users' devices makes them an attractive vector for cyber threats.

Play safely

Valve has already removed PirateFi from Steam, but affected users should take the following steps to ensure their systems are safe:

• Run a full-system antivirus scan with a trusted security solution to detect and remove infections.
• Check for any unexpected or unfamiliar programs that may have been installed with PirateFi.
• Perform a fresh Windows installation to ensure all lingering threats are eliminated.
• Change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication to protect your Steam and other online accounts from unauthorized access.

Valve has not yet commented on the specifics of the malware, nor has it confirmed whether it took any actions against the developer responsible for PirateFi.