Reading that thread there are many people accusing the developer of putting viruses in the coin.
Be WAY more careful in the future. Don't run ANYTHING you aren't 9,001% sure is safe. If you are installing software that has the source code available, learn how to compile it from source. Running the exe puts a lot of trust in the developer as the exe can do ANYTHING. People can check the source code for viruses but they cannot easily check the exe.
This is why I opted to go with Linux... felt it was a tidbit safer; perceived safer perhaps? Even though I have a PC and initially had Win8 installed on my server, I've learned what executables can do... so you're def right, there's a level of trust needed. Years ago and just because I learned it was possible, I stripped an exe file down to it's smallest pieces (I think) without installing it. It can be done, but I agree, not easy at all.