PUBG Rolls Out Kernel-Level Anti-Cheat Feature to Fight Evolving Cheats

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has strengthened its protection against illegal software with a new kernel-based anti-cheat feature. The system was detailed in a developer letter from the Anti-Cheat Team and delivered through Update 37.1 in August 2025. It is designed to detect cheat tools that operate at the deepest layer of a player's operating system. The move reflects the studio's ongoing effort to create a fair and stable gameplay environment as cheat developers continue to adopt more advanced techniques.

🛡️ Why Kernel-Level Detection Matters

For years, cheat tools have evolved beyond ordinary software manipulation. Many now run at the kernel level, which is the execution layer inside an operating system with the highest privileges. From this position, illegal software can hide from conventional security solutions, interfere with monitoring processes, or even disable protective measures before a game fully starts.

PUBG has monitored abnormal kernel activity for a long time. However, the growing number and variety of kernel-level cheats have increased the time and resources required for analysis. In response, the team concluded that stronger kernel-based countermeasures were necessary. Recent internal tests confirmed the stability and high detection rate of the new system, giving the studio confidence to roll it out to players.

⚙️ How the New Anti-Cheat Feature Works

The new feature activates as soon as the PUBG client is launched. It immediately scans the PC's kernel for code suspected of abnormal patterns. If illegal software is confirmed, the player is kicked from the match and banned from the game. This approach is designed to detect cheating attempts even when a cheat tries to hide itself or launches before the security system in an effort to avoid detection.

Key elements of the system include:

• Immediate activation when the PUBG client starts

• Direct inspection of kernel-level code for suspicious patterns

• Automatic kick and ban when an illegal program is confirmed

• Runtime limited to the active PUBG client, with a full shutdown on game exit

Feature	Detail
Activation	Immediately after PUBG client launch
Scope	Kernel-level scanning of suspicious code
Response	Kick and ban confirmed cheaters
Runtime	Only while PUBG is open
Conflict handling	Warning when another game with security software is running

The new system is expected to proactively counter advanced cheats and reduce the damage caused by illegal software. It also allows the security team to respond more quickly and reliably to threats that were previously difficult to detect.

🔄 Managing Security Software Conflicts

PUBG's anti-cheat solution, including the new feature, runs only while the PUBG client is active. It shuts down when the game is closed. However, if PUBG's new anti-cheat feature and another external security solution run at the same time, system conflicts or unexpected behavior may occur. The studio explained that this is not a flaw in PUBG's security system. Instead, it is a normal interaction between different security programs that inspect system memory and processes in their own ways.

Starting with Update 37.1, players may see a warning message in the lobby if PUBG and another game client with its own security software are both running. When this pop-up appears, the recommendation is to close one of the two clients and run only one at a time. This measure is intended to provide a more stable environment and reduce in-game disruptions caused by software conflicts. It is not a restriction on other games, but a practical step to prevent anti-cheat modules from interfering with one another.

🏗️ A Foundation for Long-Term Security

Beyond immediate detection, the new kernel-based feature is described as more than a simple update. It is positioned as a foundation for building a sustainable security framework. The Anti-Cheat Team said it will continue to develop and apply a wide range of security technologies as part of the 2025 Anti-Cheat Roadmap. The strategy combines technological innovation with operational efficiency to respond to evolving threats.

PUBG also stated that it will keep listening to player feedback and do its utmost to provide a fair and trustworthy gameplay environment. As of 2026, this kernel-level detection system remains a major component of the game's evolving security architecture, offering a proactive response to advanced threats while reducing the damage caused by illegal software.

Information is adapted from UNESCO Games in Education, underscoring that maintaining trust and safety is a prerequisite for any digital play space to deliver positive outcomes. In that context, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS’ kernel-based anti-cheat—activated at client launch, limited to game runtime, and paired with conflict warnings—can be seen as part of a broader effort to preserve a stable, fair environment as threats move deeper into system-level territory.