How anti-cheat technology detects DMA cards and why "undetectable" is a myth
Anti-cheat software can scan all PCIe devices connected to your system. Unknown or suspicious devices (especially those mimicking common hardware but with mismatched details) raise red flags. Device IDs, vendor information, and driver signatures are all checked.
DMA creates unusual memory access patterns that differ from normal software behavior. Anti-cheat systems monitor for memory reads/writes that bypass the OS or access regions they shouldn't, indicating external hardware manipulation.
Modern anti-cheats create detailed hardware profiles of your system. Changes to PCIe devices, especially adding devices that claim to be one thing but behave differently, trigger alerts and potential bans.
Even if the hardware isn't directly detected, superhuman gameplay patterns (perfect aim, instant reactions, wallhack-like positioning) combined with suspicious hardware profiles lead to statistical bans. You can't hide perfect cheating forever.
Modern anti-cheats increasingly use machine learning to model normal player behavior and flag anomalies consistent with DMA-assisted play. Models consider input dynamics (mouse micro-movements, recoil control curves), timing consistency, target acquisition patterns, and cross-signal telemetry (network, frames, inputs, POV).
On-device inference and server-side models allow continuous retraining and silent evaluation, leading to delayed but broad ban waves. AI systems also detect overlay artifacts and CV-based ESP by correlating rendered frames with impossible awareness patterns. "Undetected" today can be a queued ban tomorrow.
Riot's Vanguard is one of the most aggressive anti-cheats, running at kernel level and starting at boot. It performs extensive hardware checks, PCIe device scanning, and has successfully detected and banned many DMA users. Vanguard actively updates to counter new evasion techniques. VGK has ItsGamerDoc (a well-known anti-cheat researcher) as a developer, who is actively showing how VGK detects and bans DMA cheaters.
Used by Fortnite, Rust, Apex Legends, and many others. EAC has implemented DMA detection through hardware scanning and behavioral analysis. While initially behind, recent updates have significantly improved DMA detection capabilities. EAC is also known for its strict behavior analysis and hardware fingerprinting. Also EAC hired Ekknod (a well-known DMA researcher) to counter DMA attacks.
Powers anti-cheat for Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG, Destiny 2, and more. BattlEye uses hardware fingerprinting and memory integrity checks. Has a track record of detecting modified PCIe devices and issuing hardware bans.
Used in competitive CS2/CS:GO. FACEIT AC is notably strict, kernel-level, and performs deep system scans. In practice often more effective than platform‑wide solutions, with stricter enforcement (including HW bans) and a lower privacy tolerance than VAC Live.
Valve’s live detection for CS2/Steam. Strong platform integration and privacy considerations, but a different threat model than league ACs. Often perceived by the community as less aggressive than FACEIT for the same game.
Publisher AC for Call of Duty. Official communications emphasize improvements, but community signals point to limited impact against DMA. Recent titles are moving toward TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements.
See also Sources for context and discussion.
Official RICOCHET communications frequently highlight progress. However, community telemetry and practitioner commentary suggest gaps remain—especially against DMA. Requirements like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot help, but do not replace sustained investment in detection engineering.
Sources: CoD Blog Update · RICOCHET Post · ItsGamerDoc critique
Experienced anti‑cheat engineers (e.g., ItsGamerDoc) argue that effective detection is primarily an effort and prioritization problem—buy the cheats, analyze them, and build targeted detections—rather than a fundamental impossibility.
Reference: ItsGamerDoc
Chinese anti‑cheats like ACE are widely reported as more aggressive and effective against DMA. Western AAA ecosystems balance scale, privacy, and platform constraints. Outcomes differ by threat model, resources, and enforcement posture.
Reference: Sources · isdmadead.com
Summary based on public info and community telemetry. Not exhaustive; listings are for education, not endorsement.
| System | Enforcement posture | Privacy posture | DMA track record | Public comms vs telemetry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACE (Tencent) | Aggressive, kernel‑level, rapid iteration | Lower privacy tolerance (reported) | Strong bans reported vs DMA in titles like Delta Force | Community telemetry aligns with strong enforcement |
| Riot Vanguard | Very strict, boots with OS | Low tolerance; deep system checks | Multiple DMA ban waves reported | Public docs + community reports generally aligned |
| BattlEye | Strict, kernel‑level | Moderate | History of HWID/device bans incl. PCIe anomalies | Limited comms; telemetry indicates steady action |
| Easy Anti‑Cheat (EAC) | Strict, improving over time | Moderate | Improving DMA detections over releases | Sparse comms; community sees progress |
| FACEIT AC | Very strict, league‑grade | Lower privacy tolerance (league client) | Consistently strong vs DMA on same titles as VAC | Telemetry suggests higher effectiveness than platform AC |
| VAC Live | Platform‑integrated, conservative | Higher privacy emphasis | Mixed; less aggressive than FACEIT | Minimal comms; community reports mixed |
| RICOCHET | Publisher‑managed, marketing‑heavy | Unknown; platform constraints apply | Community reports limited impact vs DMA | Official claims vs community telemetry often diverge |
Notes: This table reflects a snapshot and public/community information; capabilities change frequently. See Sources for references.
Intel VT-d (Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O) and AMD IOMMU can restrict DMA access by creating isolated memory regions. When properly configured in BIOS, these technologies significantly hinder DMA attacks by preventing unauthorized memory access.
Windows 10/11 with modern hardware supports Kernel DMA Protection, which prevents unauthorized PCIe devices from accessing memory before drivers are loaded. This is part of Windows security features and requires compatible motherboard/CPU.
While these don't directly stop DMA (contrary to what sellers claim), they verify boot integrity and make it harder to run modified drivers or firmware that might assist DMA attacks. They're part of a layered security approach.
Modern BIOS/UEFI firmware includes settings for PCIe device authorization, DMA protections, and memory access controls. Properly configured, these can block or limit DMA capabilities of external devices.
"Our DMA card is undetectable. Anti-cheat can't see hardware. You're 100% safe."
Nothing is undetectable. It's an ongoing arms race. Today's "undetected" method becomes tomorrow's ban wave. Anti-cheat companies employ hundreds of engineers specifically to catch hardware cheats. Every ban wave, sellers claim "bad luck" or "user error" to avoid admitting their product was detected.
"Just change your device ID and you're safe forever."
Anti-cheat systems don't just check device IDs. They analyze device behavior, timing, memory access patterns, driver responses, and correlate with gameplay statistics. Simply spoofing an ID is not enough. Detection methods are multi-layered and constantly evolving.
Immediate and permanent loss of your game account, including all purchases, progress, and unlocks. Most games have zero-tolerance policies for hardware cheating. No appeals, no second chances.
Your specific hardware fingerprint is banned, preventing you from creating new accounts on that system. Requires hardware changes (motherboard, CPU, etc.) to bypass—a costly solution that may still fail.
Your email and phone number are blacklisted from creating new accounts. You'll need entirely new contact information, and platforms actively detect virtual phone numbers and temp emails.
Some game publishers pursue legal action against cheat makers and distributors. In certain jurisdictions, circumventing technical protection measures violates computer fraud laws. The risk is real.
Anti-cheat technology is constantly evolving, investing millions in detecting hardware-level cheats. DMA cards are not "undetectable"—they're just in a temporary detection gap until the next update.
Every DMA user faces the risk of ban waves. Sellers disappear when detection improves, leaving you with a banned account and a useless device.