The popular Steam Wallpaper Engine, which allows users to install animated wallpapers on their desks, has announced that it will remove some of its content due to concerns about malware. The developers have decided to stop supporting so-called "app wallpapers", which are essentially full-fledged Windows applications with full access to the user’s computer.
While this feature allowed for unique designs, it was also used extensively by attackers to distribute malware. According to the developers, automated systems cannot reliably protect executable files, and people will always look for ways to bypass security measures.
The changes will affect about 0.5% of all wallpapers in the Steam Workshop. Users who actively use "app wallpaper" are encouraged to make a local backup of them within a week. After the update, such content will no longer be uploaded and published via Steam, but users can still run it locally.
