HOW ANTI-CHEAT BYPASSES WORK

Embarking on game hacking is met with a formidable challenge when encountering games fortified with advanced anti-cheat systems. Repeated attempts result in bans, underscoring the critical need for a bypass mechanism. This turning point emphasizes that to advance in game hacking, overcoming anti-cheat protections is not optional but essential.

The video reveals that mastering game hacking hinges on a strong foundation in math and computer science, skills best honed through interactive learning platforms like brilliant.org. It highlights the value of expertly curated lessons that transform beginners into advanced problem solvers, bridging theory with real-world applications. The discussion then shifts to uncovering the true nature of cheats and the mechanisms behind anti-cheat systems, laying the groundwork for deeper technical exploration.

Cheats in video games rely on accessing and modifying process memory by injecting DLL files directly into the game’s process, enabling features like aimbots and monetary hacks. Anti-cheat systems counter these actions by scanning for unexpected modules and intercepting standard injection calls, though legitimate tools such as overlays and recording applications use similar methods. Techniques like manual mapping evade detection by not registering the injected code in the module list, bypassing traditional anti-cheat hooks. This dynamic interplay between injection methods and countermeasures fuels an ever-evolving arms race in game security.

Gaining access to game memory through external methods requires a blend of skill, experience, and creativity. Opening a high-privilege handle allows direct manipulation via Windows API functions, yet this straightforward technique is prone to detection. While user mode anti-cheats cannot detect read or write operations directly, they block high-privilege handle creation by intercepting process openings. Hijacking a legitimate handle from another process offers a workaround in user mode, though kernel-level anti-cheats remain far more effective.

Kernel mode anti cheats operate with high system privileges, giving them a significant edge in detecting hacks over user mode systems. User mode anti cheats, limited in capability, perform basic tasks such as integrity checks on game files. This stark difference in privilege levels is key to understanding why kernel mode offers a more reliable defense against unauthorized modifications.

Generating unique fingerprints for cheat binaries prevents unauthorized modifications of game files. The process constantly scans game files to identify and thwart any detected cheat signatures. Thousands of these distinct signatures work together to ensure robust protection against cheat injections.

A database stores cheat signatures, and the presence of any junk code flags an account for cheating, resulting in a ban. Random, useless code was once inserted into cheats with the sole purpose of altering digital signatures—a meme in the community. However, compilers strip away these modifications, rendering the tactic ineffective against detection systems.

Anti-cheat systems streamline binaries by removing unnecessary code while targeting the crucial Windows API functions that cheats exploit. They hook functions like load library to block code injections and open process to prevent unauthorized access to the game. Kernel anti-cheats further enhance security by using drivers to monitor system activities, extending protection beyond what user-mode methods can achieve.

Kernel anti-cheats secure the game environment by dedicating the system's focus entirely to its protection. They harness the OB_register_callbacks function to register callbacks on system objects, ensuring that every object manager event triggers a notification to the driver. This monitoring enables them to verify if a process belongs to the game and to block any user mode techniques that might compromise it.

The system strips read and write privileges from any handle that attempts to access kernel-protected content, effectively preventing DLL injections. Such a measure blocks cheating attempts right at the start, making it unlikely for unauthorized activities to even commence. Even if vulnerabilities exist in user mode, overcoming kernel defenses demands significant reverse engineering and technical ingenuity.

Programming a custom kernel driver enables lower-level system control and can circumvent restrictions like anti-cheat measures. It highlights a practical approach to entering the kernel and mastering system manipulation. An additional reference is provided to explore the full potential of driver programming and its applications.

A custom driver that accesses kernel functions can overcome robust kernel anti-cheats designed to block user mode hacks. This approach uses a controlled kernel-level modification to counter the system's defenses, effectively fighting fire with fire. Direct kernel access thus opens new avenues for bypassing sophisticated anti-cheat protections.

Software cheats operate by running within the same operating system as the game, exploiting system vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access. Kernel-level anti-cheat mechanisms, with their enhanced detection capabilities, significantly increase the likelihood of uncovering these cheats. The inherent risks of relying solely on software cheats become apparent as deeper system integration provides a more robust defense against such exploits.

Cheating can be reimagined by moving away from exploiting operating system vulnerabilities to targeting the hardware itself. This concept leverages the physical components that run the operating system rather than the software layer. By exploiting hardware, the approach opens a new path for creating cheats that differ fundamentally from traditional methods.

Direct Memory Access enables devices to transfer data straight to system memory, bypassing the CPU to free up processing power. Instead of processing each bit of data, systems using DMA experience streamlined performance, especially with high-speed data transfers like those from an Ethernet cable. Specialized hardware leverages DMA with a secondary computer connected via PCIe and USB to access and modify the primary computer’s memory, enabling undetectable cheats. This approach both optimizes system efficiency and circumvents software anti-cheat measures.