I have this old game called ARSENAL Extended Power that only runs on Windows XP. The problem is, it has a trojan infection. I want to know the safest way to run this game without allowing it too much access, especially since I'm using Debian 13. Any tips on how to do this safely?
7 Answers
Why would you run a game that you know has a trojan? If it's a popular game, there are likely clean versions out there. Just saying, it might be worth looking around for alternatives instead.
Sounds like it might have been cracked, which is why it ended up with a trojan.
Running a Windows trojan on a Linux system is a lot like dealing with spitballs! It can get messy, but it won't harm your Linux host directly. Just make sure to run it from a drive that's not your root drive to avoid any accidental issues.
So I can actually run it directly with Proton then?
You could run it inside a VM, that’s a pretty solid solution!
I found that Arsenal: Extended Power is available as abandonware. You could check it out. Might find a cleaner version there!
You can also check out Bottles (a Flatpak). It doesn’t access your files by default due to Flatpak permissions. There's a 'Dedicated Sandbox' mode too, and you can restrict its network access in Flatseal. Just a good way to add extra layers of safety!
The safest way I've found is to:
1. Set up and update your Windows XP VM.
2. Back it up for future use.
3. Clone the XP VM just for the game, labeling it ‘virus-ridden XP for Arsenal.’
4. Disable all network connections in this cloned VM.
5. Keep it isolated from any writable drives or devices.
6. Install and play the game, but once you’re done, delete the entire VM to avoid any risks. Honestly, I wouldn't bother with a trojan-affected game, but if you’re set on it, just be super cautious!
Isn't it risky to run known infected software? Just be careful with that!
Unfortunately, this game wasn’t popular at all. I have it saved on multiple devices just in case it disappears.