Anti-Cheat Software and Your Privacy: What PC Gamers Should Know

8 Sep 2026

Anti-cheat software has become a standard part of competitive PC gaming. It is designed to detect software, drivers, hardware configurations and behaviour that may give a player an unfair advantage.

For most players, it works quietly in the background. However, some anti-cheat systems operate with deep access to Windows, potentially beginning before the game launches and examining parts of the computer that ordinary applications cannot access.

This has created a difficult question for gamers:

How much access should a video game require in the name of fair play?

Anti-cheat software is not automatically spyware, and a kernel-level driver is not automatically malicious. However, software with extensive system privileges creates legitimate security, privacy and transparency concerns.

This guide explains how anti-cheat systems work, what kernel-level access means, what information may be collected and how to make an informed decision before installing a protected game.

What Is Anti-Cheat Software?

Anti-cheat software attempts to identify or prevent tools that manipulate a game.

These may include:

Aimbots
Wallhacks
Trigger bots
Memory editors
Speed modifications
Automated scripts
Input manipulation
Modified game files
Kernel-level cheats
Direct memory access devices
Hardware identification spoofing
Deliberately vulnerable drivers

The exact approach varies between games. Some systems look primarily for modified files, while others examine active processes, loaded drivers, system integrity or suspicious gameplay patterns.

Examples of widely used anti-cheat products include:

Riot Vanguard
Easy Anti-Cheat
BattlEye
EA’s anti-cheat technology
Valve Anti-Cheat
Ricochet Anti-Cheat
FACEIT Anti-Cheat

Not all of these products work in the same way or receive the same level of system access.

Why Games Need Anti-Cheat Software

Cheating damages multiplayer games in several ways.

It can:

Ruin competitive matches
Drive legitimate players away
Undermine ranking systems
Devalue tournaments and rewards
Enable account boosting
Support stolen-account markets
Create additional customer-support work
Damage confidence in the game

Simple cheats once operated mainly as ordinary Windows applications. Developers could look for known processes, altered files or changes to the game’s memory.

Modern cheat developers use more advanced techniques. Some cheats operate through Windows drivers, external hardware or modified system components to conceal their activity.

Riot explains that a user-mode anti-cheat can be blinded by a malicious or vulnerable driver operating at a higher privilege level. EA similarly says kernel-level protection is used because cheats running in the kernel can hide from security software operating only in user mode.

This escalation has led game companies to request deeper access to players’ computers.

What Is Kernel-Level Anti-Cheat?

Windows separates software into different privilege levels.

Ordinary applications normally operate in user mode. This limits how directly they can interact with:

Hardware
Other processes
System memory
The Windows kernel
Device drivers
Security features

The Windows kernel operates at a much more privileged level. It controls fundamental parts of the operating system, including memory management, hardware access and process scheduling.

A kernel-level anti-cheat includes a driver that operates at this privileged layer.

BattlEye describes its protection as kernel-based, while EA identifies its own technology as a kernel-mode anti-cheat and anti-tamper system. Riot Vanguard also uses a kernel driver to identify or block techniques that ordinary user-mode software may not be able to see.

Does Kernel Access Mean an Anti-Cheat Can See Everything?

Kernel access gives software significant technical capability, but that does not automatically mean the anti-cheat is collecting every file or monitoring every activity.

It is important to distinguish between:

What software is technically capable of accessing
What it is designed to inspect
What information it actually collects
What information it sends to a server
How long that information is retained
Who can access it

A kernel driver may inspect loaded drivers, protected memory areas and indicators of system modification without uploading ordinary documents, photos or browser history.

However, users are often unable to independently verify every aspect of a proprietary anti-cheat system. The software is intentionally closed because publishing its exact detection methods would help cheat developers avoid them.

That creates an unavoidable trust decision.

Players must decide whether they trust:

The game publisher
The anti-cheat supplier
Its software-development practices
Its privacy policy
Its security response
Its data-retention practices
Its update mechanism

What Information Can Anti-Cheat Software Collect?

The answer depends on the product, game and publisher.

Anti-cheat systems may process information such as:

Account identifiers
IP address
Hardware identifiers
Operating-system version
Loaded drivers
Running processes
Game files
Game-memory information
Connected peripherals
Security settings
Network activity related to the game
Match behaviour
Input patterns
Crash and diagnostic logs
Evidence of unauthorised software

Riot’s current privacy notice states that its efforts to detect cheating and unauthorised modifications may involve identifiers, network-activity information, commercial information and audio, electronic, visual or similar information. Riot says this processing supports its legitimate interest in maintaining fair play.

This does not mean every category is collected by Vanguard during every gaming session. Privacy notices are often written broadly to cover multiple products, features and legal requirements.

Users should therefore read both the general publisher privacy policy and any specific anti-cheat documentation.

Hardware Identifiers and Hardware Bans

Some anti-cheat systems use hardware-related information to distinguish one computer from another.

This may involve identifiers associated with components such as:

Motherboard
Storage devices
Network hardware
Processor
Trusted Platform Module
Windows installation
Other system characteristics

These identifiers may be combined or transformed rather than stored as simple serial numbers.

Hardware identification can help prevent a banned player from immediately creating another account. It also creates privacy considerations because hardware fingerprints can remain relatively persistent.

Riot has described some Vanguard restrictions as applying at an account or hardware-identifier level when suspicious hardware behaviour or security configurations are detected. The company also notes that receiving such a restriction does not necessarily mean the user has been accused of cheating.

Why Some Anti-Cheat Drivers Start With Windows

One of the biggest controversies concerns anti-cheat software that starts before the protected game.

Historically, Riot Vanguard’s driver loaded during Windows startup. Riot’s explanation was that a cheat driver could otherwise load first, alter the system, conceal itself and then unload before the anti-cheat started.

Starting early allowed Vanguard to assess whether the system had remained in a trusted state before the game launched.

The privacy objection is straightforward: players may be uncomfortable with game-related software running during work, browsing or other activities when no game is open.

Riot introduced an optional Vanguard On-Demand mode in June 2026 for sufficiently secured Windows 11 systems. When enabled, the driver runs only while a protected Riot game is running. The option requires modern Windows security features, including Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, Virtualisation-Based Security and Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity.

This is a useful example of how stronger operating-system security can reduce the amount of continuous monitoring an anti-cheat considers necessary.

Does Anti-Cheat Software Run When the Game Is Closed?

It depends on the product and configuration.

An anti-cheat may:

Run only while the game is open
Start a service when the launcher opens
Leave a background service running
Load a driver during startup
Remain installed but inactive
Offer an optional on-demand mode

Do not assume that every kernel anti-cheat operates continuously. A kernel driver may load only for the duration of the protected game.

Equally, closing a game does not guarantee every related service has stopped.

You can inspect current activity using:

Task Manager
Windows Services
System Information
Autoruns from Microsoft Sysinternals
The anti-cheat’s system-tray application
Official product documentation

Avoid deleting drivers manually. An incomplete removal can cause game errors, Windows startup problems or repeated reinstallations.

Is Kernel-Level Anti-Cheat a Rootkit?

The term rootkit refers to malicious software designed to obtain privileged access while hiding its presence or activity.

Kernel-level anti-cheat software has powerful access, but reputable anti-cheat products are openly installed, digitally signed and intended to protect a game rather than secretly maintain unauthorised control.

BattlEye has explicitly rejected the description of its kernel driver as a rootkit, stating that it does not attempt to conceal its own activity from users.

It is therefore inaccurate to call every kernel driver a rootkit.

The more useful questions are:

Is the software disclosed clearly?
Is it digitally signed?
Can it be removed?
Does it use hidden persistence?
What information does it process?
Does the publisher document its purpose?
How are vulnerabilities handled?

The Security Risk of Kernel Drivers

Any kernel driver increases the amount of highly privileged code installed on a system.

A serious vulnerability in an ordinary application may allow access only within that user’s permissions. A serious vulnerability in a kernel driver may provide much greater control.

Potential consequences of a flawed driver could include:

System crashes
Privilege escalation
Security-feature bypass
Memory corruption
Compatibility problems
A new route for malware
Exposure of sensitive system information

This does not mean an anti-cheat driver is likely to be compromised. It means the consequences of poor security engineering can be greater.

Publishers must therefore:

Minimise the driver’s functionality
Secure the update process
Sign code correctly
Audit the software
Test compatibility
Respond quickly to vulnerabilities
Avoid collecting unnecessary information

Riot says Vanguard was developed with its security and privacy teams, received internal and external security scrutiny and was designed to minimise unnecessary data processing. EA says owning its anti-cheat stack allows it to control the product’s security and privacy posture directly. These are statements from the publishers themselves rather than independent guarantees.

Can Anti-Cheat Software Cause Blue Screens?

Kernel drivers operate in a sensitive part of Windows. A driver fault or conflict can potentially cause:

Blue screens
Startup failures
Game crashes
Device conflicts
Blocked drivers
Performance problems
Incompatible software warnings

These problems are not always caused by the anti-cheat itself. They can also result from:

Outdated motherboard utilities
Vulnerable hardware-monitoring drivers
Overclocking tools
RGB software
Old audio drivers
Virtualisation tools
Modified Windows installations
Malware
Other anti-cheat products
Unstable hardware

BattlEye’s support documentation, for example, describes errors caused by unsupported modifications to the Windows kernel and software that conflicts with its protection.

When a problem starts immediately after an anti-cheat update, record the error and contact the game publisher rather than applying random driver modifications.

Anti-Cheat and Secure Boot

Some modern games require or strongly encourage Secure Boot.

Secure Boot helps verify that trusted software is loaded during the system’s startup process. It can make certain boot-level modifications and unsigned drivers more difficult to use.

EA has explained that its Secure Boot requirements help counter cheats that attempt to enter during Windows startup. The company also uses related hardware security features, including TPM capabilities, as part of its protection strategy.

Secure Boot is a legitimate Windows security feature, not an anti-cheat invention. However, enabling it can be complicated on computers configured with:

Legacy BIOS mode
Master Boot Record disks
Unsupported operating systems
Dual-boot installations
Custom bootloaders
Older hardware
Modified firmware

Do not change firmware settings without confirming that Windows is configured to boot correctly afterward.

Anti-Cheat and TPM 2.0

The Trusted Platform Module is a security component used by Windows for tasks such as:

Device integrity
Cryptographic operations
BitLocker
Credential protection
Measured boot
Hardware-backed security

Anti-cheat systems may use TPM-related information to verify that certain security conditions were present during startup.

This can improve cheat detection, but it can also make the game unavailable on older or unusually configured systems.

TPM use does not automatically mean the game can access BitLocker keys or every secret stored in the module. Access is controlled by the operating system and the design of the application.

Anti-Cheat and Virtualisation-Based Security

Virtualisation-Based Security uses hardware virtualisation to isolate certain Windows security functions from the rest of the operating system.

HVCI, sometimes called Memory Integrity in Windows Security, helps prevent untrusted or incompatible kernel code from executing.

Riot’s 2026 on-demand option uses these Windows security features as part of its pre-check. When the operating system can provide stronger evidence of system integrity, Vanguard does not need to remain loaded continuously from startup on qualifying systems.

This illustrates a broader direction in PC gaming: publishers are increasingly relying on built-in platform security rather than attempting to verify everything independently.

Can Anti-Cheat Read Your Personal Files?

A privileged driver could technically access system memory and protected areas unavailable to ordinary applications. That does not prove it searches personal documents.

Reputable anti-cheat providers generally state that their products focus on information relevant to detecting cheating, tampering and system manipulation.

Riot has said Vanguard does not collect or process personal information beyond what is needed for game operation and competitive integrity. Its broader current privacy notice nevertheless permits several information categories to be used for cheat detection.

The cautious conclusion is:

There is no good evidence that major anti-cheat products routinely search players’ personal documents, but users must rely partly on publisher policies and security controls because the detection code is proprietary.

Does Anti-Cheat Record Your Screen?

Some anti-cheat or game-security systems may capture screenshots or visual evidence under specific conditions.

A privacy policy may categorise this as visual or electronic information. Whether screenshots are collected depends on the particular product, game and investigation method.

Screen recording for anti-cheat should not be confused with:

Gameplay recording
Crash-report screenshots
Customer-support diagnostics
Voice-chat moderation
Streaming software

For example, Riot’s voice-chat evaluation is governed by broader platform policies and is not simply a function of Vanguard. Riot says relevant voice data may be retained and evaluated when disruptive behaviour is reported in supported voice channels.

Read policies carefully to understand which system is performing which type of monitoring.

Can Anti-Cheat Monitor Other Programs?

Anti-cheat software may inspect running applications, loaded modules or drivers to detect tools that interact with the game.

Legitimate software can occasionally resemble cheating tools because it:

Injects an overlay
Reads game memory
Changes graphics output
Emulates input
Provides macros
Controls hardware
Uses a vulnerable driver
Attaches a debugger
Modifies system timing

Potential conflicts include:

Hardware-monitoring utilities
RGB software
Overclocking applications
Accessibility software
Virtual machines
Controller remappers
Screen overlays
Debuggers
System customisation utilities

Being detected as incompatible does not necessarily mean an application has been classified as a cheat. The anti-cheat may simply refuse to run alongside software that weakens system integrity.

False Positives and Bans

No detection system is infallible.

Anti-cheat decisions may involve:

Automated signatures
Behavioural analysis
Statistical models
Server-side evidence
Manual review
Hardware information
Multiple independent signals

Easy Anti-Cheat states that it may flag an account, after which the game publisher decides whether to suspend or ban it. This is important because the anti-cheat supplier and game publisher may have different roles in the enforcement process.

When you believe a ban is incorrect:

Use the publisher’s official appeal process.
Avoid creating multiple support tickets.
Preserve relevant logs and dates.
Explain any unusual software or hardware.
Do not pay third parties claiming they can remove bans.
Do not attempt to alter hardware identifiers.

Publishers may withhold detailed detection evidence because revealing it could help cheat developers.

Anti-Cheat on a Work Computer

Installing competitive games on a computer used for sensitive business work deserves extra consideration.

The device may contain:

Customer information
Financial records
Administrative credentials
VPN access
Remote-management software
Development tools
Confidential documents
Regulated data

Even when the anti-cheat is trustworthy, gaming software can conflict with corporate security requirements.

A business may prohibit it because:

Kernel drivers expand the attack surface.
Games introduce unrelated software.
Launchers update automatically.
Anti-cheat drivers may conflict with endpoint protection.
The system is not approved for personal use.
Gaming accounts can become a phishing target.

The safest practice is to keep competitive gaming on a separate personal device.

Anti-Cheat on a Family Computer

A shared household computer may contain information belonging to several people.

Before installing a protected game:

Explain that a system driver may be installed.
Check whether it starts with Windows.
Review the publisher’s privacy policy.
Create separate Windows accounts.
Avoid giving children administrator passwords.
Keep banking and business activity on separate devices where possible.
Enable account security and multi-factor authentication.

A child agreeing to a game’s terms does not necessarily mean every adult using the computer understands what has been installed.

Anti-Cheat and Linux

Kernel-level Windows anti-cheat can complicate gaming on Linux.

Some games support Linux or Proton through compatible versions of Easy Anti-Cheat or BattlEye. Others block Linux because the anti-cheat environment cannot be verified to the publisher’s satisfaction.

Compatibility may change after:

Game updates
Anti-cheat updates
Proton updates
Kernel changes
Publisher policy changes

Do not assume a Steam Deck or Linux PC will run a competitive game simply because the game itself can launch.

Check the publisher’s current support status before purchasing.

How to Check Which Anti-Cheat a Game Uses

Before installing a game:

Read the game’s store page.
Check the system requirements.
Search the publisher’s support site.
Read the end-user licence agreement.
Check the anti-cheat provider’s official site.
Review recent patch notes.
Look for Secure Boot or TPM requirements.
Check whether the driver starts with Windows.
Confirm how it can be removed.
Read the privacy notice.

Store listings sometimes identify third-party anti-cheat software, but they may not explain its privilege level or runtime behaviour.

How to Inspect Anti-Cheat Software in Windows

You can review installed components without disabling them.

Task Manager

Open Task Manager and review:

Processes
Startup apps
Services
Resource use

Windows Services

Press Windows key + R, enter:

services.msc

Look for services associated with the game or anti-cheat provider.

Do not stop unfamiliar security services without checking official documentation.

Installed Applications

Open:

Settings > Apps > Installed apps

Some anti-cheat products appear as separate applications. Others are managed entirely by the game installer.

Microsoft Autoruns

Microsoft Sysinternals Autoruns provides a detailed view of:

Startup entries
Services
Drivers
Scheduled tasks
Explorer extensions

It is a powerful diagnostic tool. Disabling the wrong driver can prevent Windows or hardware from working correctly.

How to Remove Anti-Cheat Software

The preferred removal method is:

Uninstall the protected game.
Check whether the anti-cheat remains installed.
Use its official uninstaller when provided.
Restart Windows.
Confirm the service or driver is gone.
Contact official support when removal fails.

Some anti-cheat software is shared by several games. Removing it may stop those games from launching until it is reinstalled.

Do not manually delete files from Windows system folders unless the publisher specifically instructs you to do so.

How to Reduce Privacy and Security Risk

You cannot eliminate every risk while continuing to use online games, but you can reduce unnecessary exposure.

Keep Windows Updated

Security updates fix vulnerabilities in:

The Windows kernel
Drivers
Networking components
Cryptographic systems
System services

Use Secure Boot and Memory Integrity

Where supported, these features can prevent certain malicious drivers and boot-level modifications.

They may also allow some anti-cheat systems to operate in a less persistent mode.

Download Games From Official Sources

Avoid:

Pirated games
Unofficial launchers
Modified anti-cheat files
“FPS booster” packages
Ban-removal tools
Hardware-ID spoofers
Cheat-related software

These are common routes for malware.

Avoid Unnecessary Administrator Access

Do not run every launcher or game as administrator unless the publisher requires it for a documented reason.

Separate Gaming From Sensitive Work

A separate gaming PC provides the clearest boundary.

Where that is impractical, use:

Separate Windows accounts
Strong device encryption
A password manager
Multi-factor authentication
Current backups
Limited local administrator use

Review Startup Behaviour

Check whether anti-cheat services and launchers remain active when you are not gaming.

Use official settings to switch to on-demand operation when available.

Keep Backups

A driver conflict or failed update can make Windows unstable. Maintain a backup of important files before installing low-level system software.

Questions to Ask Before Installing

Ask these questions:

Does the game use kernel-level anti-cheat?
Does it run only with the game?
Does its driver start during Windows boot?
Is an on-demand option available?
What data does the privacy policy list?
Does the publisher explain its detection approach?
Can the software be removed cleanly?
Does it require Secure Boot, TPM or Memory Integrity?
Is the computer used for confidential work?
Is playing this particular game worth the access required?

There is no correct answer for every person.

A dedicated gaming PC presents a different risk calculation from a company laptop containing sensitive client data.

Privacy Claims vs. Independent Verification

Game publishers frequently state that they minimise data collection and protect player information.

Those statements matter, but they should not be treated as proof on their own.

Anti-cheat systems are difficult to assess independently because:

Source code is proprietary.
Detection methods must remain secret.
Updates can change behaviour.
Privacy policies may be broad.
Network traffic can be encrypted.
Kernel activity is difficult for ordinary users to inspect.

Trustworthy publishers can improve confidence through:

Clear documentation
Narrow privacy language
Security audits
Bug-bounty programmes
Prompt vulnerability disclosure
Optional runtime modes
Transparent removal instructions
Signed and verifiable updates

Players should be sceptical without assuming the worst.

Is Anti-Cheat Software Worth the Privacy Trade-Off?

For many players, anti-cheat software is an acceptable requirement for competitive gaming.

Fair matchmaking is difficult to maintain without some form of protection, particularly when cheat developers use drivers and external hardware.

However, users are justified in declining software that demands more access than they are comfortable providing.

You might reasonably accept it when:

The PC is dedicated primarily to gaming.
The publisher has a strong security record.
The software runs only with the game.
Data collection is explained clearly.
The product can be removed easily.
The game’s competitive integrity matters to you.

You might reasonably avoid it when:

The PC contains sensitive business data.
The publisher provides little transparency.
The driver remains active unnecessarily.
The software conflicts with security tools.
The game requires you to weaken existing security.
You do not trust the company responsible.

Choosing not to install a game is a valid security decision.

Common Myths About Anti-Cheat Software

“Every Kernel Anti-Cheat Is Malware”

False. Kernel access describes privilege, not intent.

Legitimate graphics, storage, security and hardware drivers also operate in the kernel.

“Kernel Anti-Cheat Has No Privacy Risk”

Also false. Highly privileged software creates genuine security and trust considerations, even when designed responsibly.

“It Scans Every File on Your Computer”

There is no general evidence that major anti-cheat systems routinely read every personal file. Their exact inspection behaviour varies by product.

“Closing the Game Always Stops It”

Not necessarily. Some systems leave a service or driver running.

“A High-Level Anti-Cheat Stops All Cheaters”

No anti-cheat can guarantee that every cheat will be prevented. Protection is an ongoing contest between developers and attackers.

“Secure Boot Is Spyware”

Secure Boot is a firmware and operating-system security feature used to verify trusted startup components. It is not itself an anti-cheat product.

Final Verdict

Anti-cheat software protects the competitive experience, but the strongest systems may require extensive access to your PC.

Kernel-level access does not automatically make an anti-cheat malicious. It does mean the software must be held to a higher security and transparency standard because faults or abuse could have more serious consequences.

Before installing a protected game, check:

What anti-cheat it uses
Whether it includes a kernel driver
When that driver runs
Which security features are required
What information the publisher says it collects
Whether the computer also stores sensitive business or personal data

For a dedicated gaming PC, the trade-off may be acceptable. For a work computer or a machine containing confidential information, separating gaming from sensitive activity is the safer approach.

The key is informed consent. You should know what is being installed, why it needs its permissions and how to remove it before deciding whether a game is worth the access it requires.

Need Help Securing Your PC?

Unfamiliar drivers, game crashes and anti-cheat conflicts can be difficult to diagnose safely. Removing the wrong service or changing firmware settings without preparation can create additional problems.

Hamilton Group can help investigate software conflicts, improve PC security and make sure gaming systems are configured correctly.

Visit hgmssp.com, call 0330 043 0069, or book a meeting with one of our experts.