Construyendo un futuro de juego confiable: cómo la seguridad impulsa el juego limpio

With the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, it is an opportune reminder of the shared responsibility we have to protect the integrity of gaming. We have prepared this guide on the latest security features and actions players can take to ensure they are ready to launch into Call of Duty today.

We focus on creating environments where competition thrives. At the heart of every great game is a simple promise: everyone deserves the same opportunities to win. Cheating breaks that promise, undermining the excitement and integrity of the experience for both players and developers. Through close collaboration with game developers, anti-cheat technology providers, and players, we are committed to safeguarding fair play and ensuring all can enjoy equal conditions.

Why Security Features Are Important for Fair Play

Cheat software is not like traditional malware that goes unnoticed; players intentionally install and run it to disable and bypass built-in protections and gain an unfair advantage. This is why Microsoft’s security features alone cannot stop cheating if someone disables them. The real value comes when these protections remain enabled for everyone: they create a reliable state in which developers can trust. By using that state, developers can better protect their games and players, reliably distinguishing systems that are more likely to have cheaters from those configured to provide trust and security.

Cheating has become increasingly sophisticated, moving from simple memory hacks to exploits that attempt to compromise a system even before it verifies that the PC is in a reliable state through hardware and the Windows boot process. While most modern PCs include essential security features for gaming, Windows 11 takes protection a step further with advanced defenses designed for players and developers. Working closely with hardware providers and anti-cheat companies, we have established a set of standards for hardware and software security, creating a root of trust. These technologies work together to prepare your PC for gaming, making it harder for cheaters to establish themselves:

• Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0: Creates a secure, modern hardware-based key storage and a root of trust from which the system and Windows can generate information that can be trusted with cryptographic keys.

• Secure Boot: Ensures only trusted software is loaded during the boot process. When enabled, developers can be confident that hacks were not inserted early in the system to evade detection by anti-cheat providers. Additionally, it extends the root of trust from the TPM to the hardware boot process up to the moment Windows begins to start.
• Virtualization-Based Security (VBS): Provides another layer of protection by strengthening security through a secure and isolated environment within your system where it is hard to run unauthorized code that could interfere with your game or anti-cheat software. Like Secure Boot, when enabled, developers can have greater confidence that hacks do not interfere with fair play.
• Remote Attestation: Offers a well-documented, industry-wide approach to remotely validate each key step of the hardware and Windows boot process by leveraging the TPM and generating cryptographically secure evidence that verifies your PC is in a reliable state as it initializes and boots into Windows.

These same technologies are at the heart of Xbox console security, a proven and reliable model, and we are excited to see anti-cheat providers leveraging them on Windows 11 today.

How You Can Help Developers Create Trustworthy Communities

We are working with partners to create tools and standards that make games more secure, but players also play a vital role. By keeping firmware and security features updated, you help developers maintain a trustworthy environment for everyone. Enabling these protections sends a signal that you value fair play.

This signal is important because developers increasingly rely on these standards when designing multiplayer experiences. When security features remain on, it becomes easier for developers to distinguish genuine gameplay from cheating and maintain a competitive, enjoyable community.

Below is how you can help ensure your PC is ready for safe and fair gameplay:

1. Keep Windows updated: Make sure to install Windows 11 updates periodically. These updates are delivered automatically through Windows Update and provide essential security improvements to help protect your gaming experience.

2. Stay updated with firmware/BIOS patches: Be proactive in searching for and installing firmware/BIOS update patches from your PC manufacturer. Firmware/BIOS patches are not always automatic, so checking the manufacturer’s site or support tools ensures your device receives the latest protection against emerging threats. We’ve included some links below for many of the major manufacturers to help you get started.

3. Enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot: Most modern gaming PCs come with these features enabled by default. If you built your own system or use an older device, check the firmware/BIOS settings and manufacturer or Windows instructions to activate them.

4. Review security requirements: Important titles like Obligations and Valorant provide dedicated pages that describe the necessary protections for safe and fair gameplay. Check the official website of your favorite game to see the recommended security requirements before playing and ensure your system meets the latest standards.

5. Stay informed: Follow Microsoft’s official channels for guidance on best practices and the latest news. Mark theMicrosoft Security Blog to stay up-to-date with our expert coverage on security topics. Additionally, follow us on LinkedIn (Microsoft Security) and X (@MSFTSecurity) to learn more about the latest news and updates on cybersecurity. We will keep you informed so you can focus on playing without worries.

Manufacturer Instructions

Additionally, here are some resources that may help:

What’s Next?

The fight against cheating is always evolving, just like the tools we use to protect the player community. As new games and anti-cheat solutions adopt modern security technologies, you will see more titles that require features like TPM, Secure Boot, and advanced protections like VBS.

We are here to listen to your feedback as we work toward our shared goal of fair play for everyone. Together, we can build a gaming ecosystem that is safe, fair, and fun for all. See you in the game!