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Security Issues of Online Gaming

By Greg Byrne | Published Mar 10 2004 12:15 PM in Multiplayer and Network Programming

game players online games player world virtual packets abuse






Copy Protection

This has traditionally been the most important aspect of security in computer games. There are many different technologies that provide copy protection, but nearly all of them can be overcome.
However, piracy is not so relevant to online games, as the game companies make money from subscriptions. Money can be made from selling boxed-versions of online games by giving added-value content
such as manuals, maps, and the box itself.

Hacking the Client

Many online games store game logic and player data on the server, and store graphics and sound on the client. This makes it difficult for hackers to cheat by altering statistics such as health or
ammunition; however it gives them full ability to change the graphics in a game. For many gamers, the ability to make modifications (known as mods) to games is almost as important as playing the game
itself. However, imagine if one player modifies the game so that he can see through walls, and plays against somebody who can’t. You can guess who will win. A simple solution to this problem is
by ensuring all players are using the same modifications.

Packet Sniffing

There are many programs available that let users examine, modify, send or block packets that are being transmitted to and from their computer. This causes several problems for online games such as
blocking packets that may have a negative effect on a player, or replaying packets that shoot an enemy player, even though you have no ammunition left. Such situations can be avoided by keeping
important variables on the server, and by encrypting packets. Even encrypted packets can be repeated though; therefore a sequence number system should be used so that the server can verify the

Area of Interest Management should also be used to minimize the data that the client has to receive. If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it fall, does it make a sound? In a
virtual world using AoIM algorithms, the answer is no. AoIM algorithms limit network traffic in a virtual world to only what is necessary for each player. In a large virtual world, there could be
thousands of players, with millions of variables that are constantly changing. If the client were to be kept updated with all variables, it could easily use up more bandwidth than available, causing
network congestion and increasing latency. To put very simply, AoIM solves this problem by dividing the world into different geographical zones, and then only sending data regarding the zone that is
directly related to each player.

Social Abuse

Players in virtual worlds can have a lot of freedom to do as they please. This could include running around causing sexual and racial abuse. Such abuse reduces and spoils the fun and can damage
the popularity of the game. There are two ways around this problem; first of all by allowing other players to report such abuse. This requires adequate logging facilities so any allegations can be
proved and then the offending player can be dealt with accordingly. Another solution to limit the damage in the first place is to give players the option of censorship. This relies on intelligent
game software detecting offensive behavior and hiding it from players who wish to be protected. Another form of social abuse could be using a game for commercial or advertising purposes, or tricking
people into giving out credit card numbers etc. This can be prevented again by reporting such abuse, and by educating users.

Hacking Accounts

Since a password is the key to accessing account information and the player’s character, it is important that the same password protection techniques are used as in other sensitive
applications. These can include encryption when transmitting sensitive data, and educating players not to use obvious passwords or inadvertently giving them out. In some situations, server
authentication may also be necessary to ensure hackers have not setup bogus servers that can be used to collect a user’s password.

Denial of Service

Such attacks can be used to reduce the responsiveness of other players. This is hard to avoid when using a peer-to-peer topology, however in client-server based games, simply not distributing
other players IP addresses will avoid this problem. Attacks on game servers are also possible. This is unlikely to give any specific player an advantage, but it is likely to make the game unplayable
for everybody. Using server software that drops non-game packets and technology such as XenoService will help to reduce the effects of such attacks.

Internal Misuse

This could be either accidental or deliberate. System administrators responsible for the virtual world are probably enthusiastic players in the game itself. But can they be trusted not to abuse
their god-like position? Or perhaps a system administrator decides to make a few changes to the game world without fully considering possible implications. Therefore powers should be restricted where
possible, monitoring is necessary, and procedures must be set in place and followed.


Due to the complexity and nature of virtual worlds, it is essential to keep several versions of backups from different time periods. For example, if a serious bug is found after many players have
taken advantage of it, this could cause a major unbalance in the economics of the world. It is often better to restore the game from a time before the bug was taken advantage of, than letting play
carry on as is – even if it means losing several days worth of play. Most players would prefer this than having to start again from scratch.

Cheat Detection

By logging access to game servers, recording important events (e.g. player advancement), and keeping track of key quantities such as the number of rare items in the game, game administrators can
identify or verify where cheating is taking place.


A player may disconnect from a game seconds before being killed, perhaps then reconnecting with another character and finishing off the battle. Although two can play at that, nobody will die, the
game becomes boring and good players will stop playing. This can be solved by game design, for example by making a character go into an auto-pilot mode for a period of time after disconnection.

Disciplinary Measures

Games should include a comprehensive list of terms and conditions that will allow termination of players who break the rules. However, it is essential mistakes are not made, as one wrongly banned
customer could cause an uproar. Also, it could be difficult to stop banned users from signing up again, especially from free systems that do not require credit cards numbers.


It is probably impossible to make a perfectly secure online game; however it is certainly possible and desirable to reduce and limit misuse, allowing customers a good experience in a virtual
world. Good design and programming, increased user awareness, ongoing maintenance and supervision will help to achieve this.


Becker, David, ZDNet Article, Cheaters take profits out of online gaming, June 2002

Internet Security Systems, Packet Sniffing

Gamasutra, How to Hurt the Hackers: The Scoop on Internet Cheating and How You Can Combat It

Nathaniel Baughman, Brian Neil Levine, Cheat-Proof Playout for Centralized and Distributed Online Games, 2001

Wired, Blizzard of Cheaters Banned



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