Kernel level anti-cheat needs to go

Summary

In this video, the creator, 'Garbage', argues against the use of kernel-level anti-cheat systems in video games, drawing a parallel to the security vulnerabilities of CrowdStrike. He warns that a single coding error could lead to a widespread system crash, affecting personal computers with sensitive data. The creator suggests that non-kernel anti-cheat methods, like those used by Valve and Blizzard, are just as effective and do not pose the same risks, advocating for the abandonment of kernel-level anti-cheats for a safer alternative.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The speaker is against kernel level anti-cheat (AC) systems in video games, believing they are harmful and should be removed.
• 🤔 The video references a YouTuber 'low-level learning' who made a point about the security vulnerabilities of kernel level anti-cheats.
• 💡 The comparison is made to 'Crowd Strike', a security software that had a major issue affecting 8.5 million computers, highlighting the potential risks of kernel level software.
• 👥 The speaker notes that unlike Crowd Strike, anti-cheat software is common on personal computers, especially for those who play multiplayer games.
• 🔑 It is mentioned that most anti-cheat products are kernel level, with Valve's and Blizzard's being exceptions.
• ⚠️ The risk of a single company pushing bad code leading to widespread system failures is highlighted as a significant concern.
• 💻 The importance of personal computers containing sensitive personal information is emphasized, and the potential for loss in such a scenario is discussed.
• 🛡️ The speaker argues that Valve's and Blizzard's non-kernel level anti-cheats are as effective as kernel level ones, suggesting no real benefit to the latter.
• 🚫 A call to action is made to eliminate kernel level anti-cheats and find better solutions to deal with cheaters in gaming.
• 🤔 The video ends with an invitation for viewers to share their thoughts in the comments, acknowledging the possibility of differing opinions.
• 🌞 The video concludes with a standard sign-off wishing viewers a nice day.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video script?

The main issue discussed is the use of kernel-level anti-cheat (AC) systems in video games, their potential security vulnerabilities, and the argument that they should be replaced with a better solution.

Why does the video creator compare kernel-level anti-cheat systems to CrowdStrike?

The comparison is made to highlight the security vulnerabilities that can arise from running software at the kernel level, as demonstrated by the incident where bad code in CrowdStrike caused millions of computers to crash.

How many computers were affected by the CrowdStrike incident mentioned in the video?

8.5 million computers were affected by the incident.

What is the concern regarding the average user having multiple kernel-level anti-cheats on their computer?

The concern is that if any of these anti-cheat systems push bad code, it could cause widespread damage to personal computers, potentially affecting sensitive data and information.

Which companies are mentioned as not using kernel-level anti-cheat systems?

Valve and Blizzard are mentioned as companies that do not use kernel-level anti-cheat systems for their games.

What is the video creator's opinion on the effectiveness of Valve's and Blizzard's anti-cheat systems?

The creator believes that these systems are not effective at all in detecting cheaters, suggesting that there is no significant benefit to using kernel-level anti-cheat.

What is the proposed solution to the problem of kernel-level anti-cheat systems?

The proposed solution is to do away with kernel-level anti-cheat altogether and come up with a better way to deal with cheaters that does not involve third-party code with full system permissions.

What is the potential risk of having third-party code with full permissions over a user's system?

The potential risk is the exposure to security vulnerabilities, which could lead to loss of access to sensitive information, financial data, and other personal details stored on the computer.

How does the video creator encourage viewers to engage with the video?

The creator encourages viewers to leave their opinions in the comments, even though they do not guarantee to be convinced by the arguments presented.

What is the final message from the video creator to the viewers?

The final message is a reminder to have a nice day, showing a light-hearted and friendly tone to conclude the video.