Defensive cybersecurity mechanisms in competitive multiplayer games: analyzing kernel-level anti-cheat solutions

Abstract

This study explains how the growth of esports has led to an increase in cheating software, prompting game developers to utilize core (ring-0) level anti-cheat systems. It examines how these systems detect methods such as memory manipulation, unauthorized debugging, and code injection. Furthermore, it addresses the technical challenges of core-level security, the risk of system instability, and the ongoing struggle between cheat developers and security professionals. The study aims to shed light on future approaches to improving game security without significantly impacting performance.