[derf_]

It is baffling to me, as well. You know how you get a remote-code-execution vulnerability? You give a bunch of software permission to fetch code remotely and execute it.

[mmis1000]

Like… browser? Or anything with script loading capabilities like script engine in games. Executing remote script is almost unavoidable nowadays.

And there isn't really a way to confirm if it is configured in a secure way.

You either trust the developer or not.

[einr]

At least JS code in a browser is sandboxed. A Notepad++ update is just rawdogging an executable on your bare metal, perhaps with admin privs even, and hoping for the best.

[g-b-r]

First, it wasn't even the developer who compromised people, here; second, scripts in most cases are orders of magnitude less dangerous than a windows executable.

And, in many cases you can get some protection from a developer going rogue (or not writing perfect code), it's not an all or nothing.