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The original was posted on /r/linux_gaming by /u/ThinkingWinnie on 2023-10-08 13:03:01.
Hello Linux gamers,
I’m genuinely curious about the current challenges we face with anti-cheat systems, especially when it comes to their compatibility with Linux and Wine. The crux of the issue is that many anti-cheats function as rootkits, primarily because cheats themselves operate as rootkits. This prompts the question: is developing a rootkit anti-cheat the only viable solution, or are there better alternatives?
Despite their prevalence, rootkit-based anti-cheats have limitations, notably concerning trust and security. These tools have kernel-level access to a system, granting them the ability to monitor all system activities. However, entrusting a proprietary toolkit with such extensive access is a cause for concern.
Considering these concerns, I’m left pondering a few questions:
- Could a Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) anti-cheat system be a viable alternative? Do existing anti-cheat systems rely on security through obscurity, making it difficult for FOSS projects to exist in this space?
- Is it feasible for proprietary anti-cheat systems to operate solely in user-space (similar to what Easy Anti-Cheat, or EAC, currently does), yet still effectively detect cheats operating at the kernel level?
As a user, I find it challenging to accept the idea of installing a rootkit-based anti-cheat on my system, and I suspect many others share this sentiment. In the absence of a better solution, I might opt to play games without anti-cheat. Fortunately, I’m a fan of single-player games, so this hasn’t been a significant issue for me.
One alternative could involve dedicating a separate machine solely for gaming, thereby achieving security by isolation.
I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this matter and whether there are any plans or discussions within the community to address these concerns.