Have you ever found a GitHub project or anything that seemed nice and tempting to install until you dug a bit deeper?

What are some red flags that should detur anyone from installing and running something?

  • GreenKnight23@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    which makes sense because they don’t maintain packages on the dozens of different package manager repos.

    IMO it’s kind of bogus to knock a project for having a shell install file.

    • aesthelete@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Eh, I’d be more sympathetic if there were a dozen different alternatives to making this exclusively how people install your software.

      It’s a virus delivery system waiting to happen. Especially now when you have AI that can help you stand up an imposter site quickly and easily.

      • GreenKnight23@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        it’s not the impact to the user having dozens of choices.

        it’s the impact to the developer to having to maintain the packages for dozens of package repo admins that have each their own special requirements for packages that have to be followed. it’s a huge pita that most companies don’t even bother with and just run their own package repo.

        IMO the user isn’t blameless when using an install script. anyone who just blindly runs arbitrary code without reading it is a fool asking to be attacked.