The recently launched Battlefield 6 open beta has already encountered a significant hurdle as players report widespread cheating, despite EA implementing stringent security measures. The beta requires players to have Secure Boot enabled, a hardware-level security feature intended to prevent unauthorized code from running during system startup, yet cheaters have managed to bypass these protections just days into the testing period.
Players have documented numerous instances of cheating, ranging from subtle enhancements like increased accuracy to blatant violations including wallhacks and aimbots. Video evidence shared online shows suspicious gameplay where opponents track targets through walls or land impossible sequences of headshots, fueling community concerns about the game’s security.
“I can’t believe people are already using cheats in a beta,” one player commented. “None of this even counts toward anything permanent. It makes you wonder what these people are thinking.”
The Battlefield 6 beta employs both Secure Boot and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) requirements, technologies that should, in theory, make it harder for cheaters to operate. These features allow the game to implement hardware-level bans, tying penalties to a player’s physical CPU or motherboard rather than just their account. This move makes it a lot pricier and more complicated for repeat offenders, since banned players would need to swap out expensive computer parts instead of just making a new account.
EA has responded to the reports, clarifying that while Secure Boot is an important tool in their anti-cheat arsenal, it’s not a “silver bullet.” Instead, it’s a part of a larger, ongoing effort to thwart cheaters, providing additional barriers and detection methods that help catch offenders in the act.
EA probably expected some cheating during the beta. Developers often use this chance to find weak spots in their anti-cheat systems before the main release. Some experts say the current beta might not have all the planned anti-cheat protections running yet, possibly saving the full rollout for launch day.
The problems plaguing Battlefield 6 aren’t rare. Even games known for tough anti-cheat software, like Valorant‘s Vanguard, still have a hard time keeping cheaters out. As one player put it, “Secure Boot and TPM don’t completely stop cheating – they just make hardware bans more effective and harder to get around.”
Cheat makers tend to target beta tests specifically, using them as opportunities to test and improve their hacks, which keeps game studios constantly playing catch-up. Some modern cheats even use external hardware that’s separate from your computer’s main operating system, making these tricks especially tough for software-based systems to catch
The never-ending battle
The fight against cheaters keeps changing, with developers always looking for new ways to stay a step ahead. But as security ramps up, so do the cheats meant to break it. While Secure Boot and TPM make things tougher for casual cheaters, it’s clear the defenses aren’t bulletproof.
EA hasn’t made an official comment yet about the cheating, but they’re expected to roll out more security when Battlefield 6 actually comes out. Players are hoping this effort will help everyone enjoy a fairer game once it fully launches.
