A novel approach to the detection of cheating in multiplayer online games

Peter Laurens; Richard F. Paige; Phillip J. Brooke; Howard Chivers

A novel approach to the detection of cheating in multiplayer online games

Peter Laurens, Richard F. Paige, Phillip J. Brooke, Howard Chivers

Computer Science

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

Modern online multiplayer games are complex heterogeneous distributed systems comprised of servers and untrusted clients, which are often engineered under considerable commercial pressures. Under these conditions, security breaches allowing clients to employ illegal behaviours have become common; current commercial approaches have limited capabilities for reacting rapidly to such threats. This paper presents an approach to the detection of a cheating player, and describes a proof-of-concept system designed to detect cheating play (specifically wall-hacking) through the analysis of player behaviour. This approach differs from current methods in that it does not rely on knowledge about specific vulnerabilities and their method of exploitation in order to protect the system, but instead monitors player behaviour for indications of cheating play. Statistical evidence is presented which shows that the proof-of-concept correctly distinguishes between most cheating and non-cheating players.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	12TH IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENGINEERING COMPLEX COMPUTER SYSTEMS, PROCEEDINGS
Place of Publication	LOS ALAMITOS
Publisher	IEEE Computer Society
Pages	97-106
Number of pages	10
ISBN (Print)	978-0-7695-2895-3
Publication status	Published - 2007
Event	12th IEEE International Conference on Engineering Complex Computer Systems - Auckland Duration: 11 Jul 2007 → 14 Jul 2007

Conference

Conference	12th IEEE International Conference on Engineering Complex Computer Systems
City	Auckland
Period	11/07/07 → 14/07/07

Cite this

@inproceedings{32f10fd6a6c74732bd5f2ac7a025c146,

title = "A novel approach to the detection of cheating in multiplayer online games",

abstract = "Modern online multiplayer games are complex heterogeneous distributed systems comprised of servers and untrusted clients, which are often engineered under considerable commercial pressures. Under these conditions, security breaches allowing clients to employ illegal behaviours have become common; current commercial approaches have limited capabilities for reacting rapidly to such threats. This paper presents an approach to the detection of a cheating player, and describes a proof-of-concept system designed to detect cheating play (specifically wall-hacking) through the analysis of player behaviour. This approach differs from current methods in that it does not rely on knowledge about specific vulnerabilities and their method of exploitation in order to protect the system, but instead monitors player behaviour for indications of cheating play. Statistical evidence is presented which shows that the proof-of-concept correctly distinguishes between most cheating and non-cheating players.",

author = "Peter Laurens and Paige, {Richard F.} and Brooke, {Phillip J.} and Howard Chivers",

year = "2007",

language = "English",

isbn = "978-0-7695-2895-3",

pages = "97--106",

booktitle = "12TH IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENGINEERING COMPLEX COMPUTER SYSTEMS, PROCEEDINGS",

publisher = "IEEE Computer Society",

address = "United States",

note = "12th IEEE International Conference on Engineering Complex Computer Systems ; Conference date: 11-07-2007 Through 14-07-2007",

}

TY - GEN

T1 - A novel approach to the detection of cheating in multiplayer online games

AU - Laurens, Peter

AU - Paige, Richard F.

AU - Brooke, Phillip J.

AU - Chivers, Howard

PY - 2007

Y1 - 2007

N2 - Modern online multiplayer games are complex heterogeneous distributed systems comprised of servers and untrusted clients, which are often engineered under considerable commercial pressures. Under these conditions, security breaches allowing clients to employ illegal behaviours have become common; current commercial approaches have limited capabilities for reacting rapidly to such threats. This paper presents an approach to the detection of a cheating player, and describes a proof-of-concept system designed to detect cheating play (specifically wall-hacking) through the analysis of player behaviour. This approach differs from current methods in that it does not rely on knowledge about specific vulnerabilities and their method of exploitation in order to protect the system, but instead monitors player behaviour for indications of cheating play. Statistical evidence is presented which shows that the proof-of-concept correctly distinguishes between most cheating and non-cheating players.

AB - Modern online multiplayer games are complex heterogeneous distributed systems comprised of servers and untrusted clients, which are often engineered under considerable commercial pressures. Under these conditions, security breaches allowing clients to employ illegal behaviours have become common; current commercial approaches have limited capabilities for reacting rapidly to such threats. This paper presents an approach to the detection of a cheating player, and describes a proof-of-concept system designed to detect cheating play (specifically wall-hacking) through the analysis of player behaviour. This approach differs from current methods in that it does not rely on knowledge about specific vulnerabilities and their method of exploitation in order to protect the system, but instead monitors player behaviour for indications of cheating play. Statistical evidence is presented which shows that the proof-of-concept correctly distinguishes between most cheating and non-cheating players.

M3 - Conference contribution

SN - 978-0-7695-2895-3

SP - 97

EP - 106

BT - 12TH IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENGINEERING COMPLEX COMPUTER SYSTEMS, PROCEEDINGS

PB - IEEE Computer Society

CY - LOS ALAMITOS

T2 - 12th IEEE International Conference on Engineering Complex Computer Systems

Y2 - 11 July 2007 through 14 July 2007

ER -