To those calling people that don't want a game's anti-cheat to be granted Kernel (Root access)

[SudoPwnr]

Call me a "boomer" or just someone that knows a thing or two about this kind of stuff (Look at my gamertag) but I will absophukinlutely NOT be installing this anywhere near my system.....People need to do more research before telling concerned fellow gamers to just install it and stop being a "boomer", whatever that implies.

To set the record straight, installing a game with kernel-level anti-cheat like Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) can have significant implications for your system's security and privacy. Kernel-level anti-cheat software operates at the HIGHEST level of privilege on your computer (the "kernel", even deeper than Root), which gives it deep access to your system's processes, files, and operations. It's not confined to ONLY looking for suspicious software hashes or cheating software. Once it's in, it can and will do WHATEVER IT WANTS even without human input.

Here's a breakdown of the potential risks and considerations:

1. Security Risks
Vulnerabilities: If the anti-cheat software itself has a vulnerability, it could be exploited by malicious actors to gain full control of your system. Kernel-level access is a prime target for attackers.

2. Increased Attack Surface
Running additional software at the kernel level increases the chances of something going wrong or being exploited.

3. Privacy Concerns
Deep System Access: Anti-cheat software at the kernel level can monitor a wide range of system activity, potentially including sensitive or private data.
Data Collection: Depending on the software's implementation, it might collect more data than necessary for anti-cheat purposes. Review the game's privacy policy to understand what data is being collected and how it’s used.

4. System Stability
Crashes or Conflicts: Kernel-level software can cause system instability if it conflicts with other drivers or software.
Impact on Performance: Running processes at the kernel level can potentially slow down your system or interfere with other tasks.

5. Limited Control
Lack of Transparency: You often can't control or easily monitor what kernel-level software is doing. Updates are typically automatic, and the software might run even when the game isn't active.
Difficult to Remove: Uninstalling the game doesn’t always guarantee that the anti-cheat software is removed completely.
Mitigation Steps
If you still want to play the game but minimize risks, consider the following:

Research Reputation: Look up reviews and discussions about ACE to see if there are known issues or controversies.
Use a Dedicated System: Play the game on a separate system or virtual machine if possible, keeping your main system secure.
Regular Backups: Maintain backups of your important files in case something goes wrong.
Monitor Updates: Keep track of anti-cheat software updates and patches for potential improvements or reported issues.

Bottom Line
If you value privacy and system security above all, installing kernel-level anti-cheat software like ACE carries risks that you should carefully weigh.

[SolidSnake]

come on man, if you are really into the field you pretty much know anti cheats cannot work without kernel access ...
Also anything that is executed on the machine can easily get system then kernel access ...
Why are you talking about privacy as if not installing a kernel driver is safer XD
the moment you run something you are done pretty much, if it was malicious you are totally ♥♥♥♥♥♥, so either trust the company or just dont run the game at all
it is not a question of installing a driver or not ...

[Tomato Jockstrap]

Facts. Not just that but software like this can be used to hurt your pc performance and even destroy it as it can affect your computer. I spent almost 2 grand on my computer . Nothing is going to make me install this commie game that basically has the ability to spy on you !

Originally posted by SudoPwnr:

Call me a "boomer" or just someone that knows a thing or two about this kind of stuff (Look at my gamertag) but I will absophukinlutely NOT be installing this anywhere near my system.....People need to do more research before telling concerned fellow gamers to just install it and stop being a "boomer", whatever that implies.

To set the record straight, installing a game with kernel-level anti-cheat like Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) can have significant implications for your system's security and privacy. Kernel-level anti-cheat software operates at the HIGHEST level of privilege on your computer (the "kernel", even deeper than Root), which gives it deep access to your system's processes, files, and operations. It's not confined to ONLY looking for suspicious software hashes or cheating software. Once it's in, it can and will do WHATEVER IT WANTS even without human input.

Here's a breakdown of the potential risks and considerations:

1. Security Risks
Vulnerabilities: If the anti-cheat software itself has a vulnerability, it could be exploited by malicious actors to gain full control of your system. Kernel-level access is a prime target for attackers.

2. Increased Attack Surface
Running additional software at the kernel level increases the chances of something going wrong or being exploited.

3. Privacy Concerns
Deep System Access: Anti-cheat software at the kernel level can monitor a wide range of system activity, potentially including sensitive or private data.
Data Collection: Depending on the software's implementation, it might collect more data than necessary for anti-cheat purposes. Review the game's privacy policy to understand what data is being collected and how it’s used.

4. System Stability
Crashes or Conflicts: Kernel-level software can cause system instability if it conflicts with other drivers or software.
Impact on Performance: Running processes at the kernel level can potentially slow down your system or interfere with other tasks.

5. Limited Control
Lack of Transparency: You often can't control or easily monitor what kernel-level software is doing. Updates are typically automatic, and the software might run even when the game isn't active.
Difficult to Remove: Uninstalling the game doesn’t always guarantee that the anti-cheat software is removed completely.
Mitigation Steps
If you still want to play the game but minimize risks, consider the following:

Research Reputation: Look up reviews and discussions about ACE to see if there are known issues or controversies.
Use a Dedicated System: Play the game on a separate system or virtual machine if possible, keeping your main system secure.
Regular Backups: Maintain backups of your important files in case something goes wrong.
Monitor Updates: Keep track of anti-cheat software updates and patches for potential improvements or reported issues.

Bottom Line
If you value privacy and system security above all, installing kernel-level anti-cheat software like ACE carries risks that you should carefully weigh.

Facts. Not just that but software like this can be used to hurt your pc performance and even destroy it as it can affect your computer. I spent almost 2 grand on my computer . Nothing is going to make me install this commie game that basically has the ability to spy on you !

[Tomato Jockstrap]

Originally posted by SolidSnake:

come on man, if you are really into the field you pretty much know anti cheats cannot work without kernel access ...
Also anything that is executed on the machine can easily get system then kernel access ...
Why are you talking about privacy as if not installing a kernel driver is safer XD
the moment you run something you are done pretty much, if it was malicious you are totally ♥♥♥♥♥♥, so either trust the company or just dont run the game at all
it is not a question of installing a driver or not ...

They could have used easy anti cheat software but they didn't. I suspect this free game is ploy to gather data and then sell it!

[SolidSnake]

Originally posted by Tomato Jockstrap:

Originally posted by SolidSnake:

come on man, if you are really into the field you pretty much know anti cheats cannot work without kernel access ...
Also anything that is executed on the machine can easily get system then kernel access ...
Why are you talking about privacy as if not installing a kernel driver is safer XD
the moment you run something you are done pretty much, if it was malicious you are totally ♥♥♥♥♥♥, so either trust the company or just dont run the game at all
it is not a question of installing a driver or not ...

They could have used easy anti cheat software but they didn't. I suspect this free game is ploy to gather data and then sell it!

easy anti cheat runs at kernel level...

[TheOrigin]

Thats why i will never ever install this bs. IT professional myself - this dev behaviour is unacceptable. Its not even telling what it does so you could have a chance to decide. No they just force it on you. Disgusting.

[SolidSnake]

Originally posted by TheOrigin:

Thats why i will never ever install this bs. IT professional myself - this dev behaviour is unacceptable. Its not even telling what it does so you could have a chance to decide. No they just force it on you. Disgusting.

that is a valid point

[Negative]

I own Delta Force, but it isn't installed.
ACE Anti-Cheat IS installed, however.
Delta Force is the only game I own that uses ACE, so it's not from another game.
How is that right? How is that allowed? I think that's pretty malicious.
I:
1- Don't understand how it would install without the GAME being installed, and
2-Am NOT happy about it.
After I get rid of the anti-cheat, I am leaving a negative review, exactly for this reason.

[Aleksi]

Originally posted by Negative:

I own Delta Force, but it isn't installed.
ACE Anti-Cheat IS installed, however.
Delta Force is the only game I own that uses ACE, so it's not from another game.
How is that right? How is that allowed? I think that's pretty malicious.
I:
1- Don't understand how it would install without the GAME being installed, and
2-Am NOT happy about it.
After I get rid of the anti-cheat, I am leaving a negative review, exactly for this reason.

Short answer? You agreed to it in the Terms of Service.

[Negative]

How? I didn't INSTALL anything, I never saw a ToS screen. I clicked "Add to Library".

[Aleksi]

Maybe you played another game that uses the same anticheat.

[Negative]

Wow.
Seriously?

Okay, let me walk you guys through this, SLOWLY:
There is a COMPLETE list of the like 7 or 8 games ACE makes anti-cheat for.
Delta Force is the only one I own.
I never INSTALLED it.
I clicked "Add to Library".
I didn't INSTALL Delta Force.
Do you get it now?

How does adding a game to your library run an executable that installs anti-cheat?
That's not cool.
That's malware.

Aleksi, do you work for ACE? You seem to be defending them quite hard.
How much do they pay you?

[v^v^v^v^√\/]

Lol. OP has black belt in ChatGPT.

calls himself "sudo pwnr", but somehow is considering Windows a "secure" OS and thinks that installing a game can have "implications for your system's security and privacy".
Man doesn't know about "telemetry" and how Windows contains spyware on fresh install and is compromised by default.

[Aleksi]

The plot thickens

[v^v^v^v^√\/]

OP, objects all kernel level anti cheat games?

Because it's a long list:
https://levvvel.com/games-with-kernel-level-anti-cheat-software/

Including games like:
America's Army
America's Army 3
America's Army: Proving Grounds

[Reciprocity]

Everyone on here has played a game with Kernel anti cheat and will keep doing it because nothing bad has ever happened to them. People find a reason to be hero in there own stories.