Valorant Players Urged to Update BIOS After Riot Finds Security Flaw
If you’re a Valorant fan, your motherboard might need urgent attention. Riot Games recently discovered a security flaw in multiple recent motherboards that could let cheaters bypass anti-cheat protections. This vulnerability affects systems from Asrock, Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI, prompting BIOS updates to ensure fair play. Riot warns that ignoring these updates could compromise your gaming experience.
How the Flaw Works: Cheaters’ Secret Backdoor
Riot’s investigation revealed that certain DMA (direct memory access) devices could exploit the flaw by bypassing IOMMU protections. Essentially, your system’s “bouncer” appeared active but was actually inactive, allowing cheats to operate undetected in a privileged memory space. This loophole could have nullified existing anti-cheat technologies across the gaming industry.
BIOS Updates Now Required
To combat this issue, Riot’s Vanguard anti-cheat software may prompt players to update their motherboard BIOS. Updates from Asrock, Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI are designed to close the pre-boot loophole, effectively neutralizing an entire class of previously untouchable cheats. Failing to install these patches could prevent you from playing Valorant smoothly.
Why This Matters for Gamers
Cheating in competitive games has long frustrated players. Riot emphasizes that closing this hardware loophole significantly raises the cost of unfair play. By securing DMA access points before the system fully boots, BIOS updates are now a critical step for keeping competitive matches fair.
Other Anti-Cheat Systems Could Follow
While Riot is leading the charge, other gaming companies may adopt similar checks. DMA hardware cheats aren’t unique to Valorant, and vulnerabilities like this could impact multiple gaming titles if left unpatched. Keeping your BIOS updated is now part of standard PC gaming hygiene.
Riot’s Message to the Community
Riot acknowledges that BIOS updates aren’t exciting, but they’re essential for maintaining integrity in competitive gaming. “By closing this pre-boot loophole, we are neutralizing an entire class of previously untouchable cheats,” Riot stated. The move signals a continued “arms race” against sophisticated hardware cheats.
Steps to Update Your Motherboard
Gamers should check their motherboard manufacturer’s website for BIOS updates and follow the instructions carefully. Updates from Asrock, Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI are already available. Performing these updates ensures DMA protections are fully initialized and prevents cheaters from exploiting the system.
Stay Ahead of Cheaters
As competitive gaming grows, hardware-based cheats are becoming more sophisticated. Updating your BIOS now protects both your system and your gameplay. Vigilance and timely updates are key to maintaining a fair and competitive Valorant experience.
Comment