Black Ops 7 Requires Secure Boot to Combat Cheaters

Call of Duty is intensifying its efforts against cheating in the upcoming Black Ops 7 by implementing a mandatory Secure Boot feature on PC. This new directive aims to enhance security measures, which have become increasingly crucial in the ongoing struggle against hackers.

Despite existing solutions like RICOCHET Anti-Cheat, which work to identify and eliminate cheating in both multiplayer scenarios and Warzone, the dynamic nature of software allows cheaters to continuously develop new methods to evade detection. As a result, the developers have recognized the need for stricter regulations.

Secure Boot: A Key Requirement for Black Ops 7

For players unfamiliar with Secure Boot, it serves as a security standard that prevents unauthorized software, including cheating tools, from loading during the Windows startup process. By enforcing this requirement, the game effectively blocks one of the easiest avenues for cheaters, significantly increasing the difficulty of bypassing security measures.

This initiative will, undoubtedly, enhance the effectiveness of RICOCHET in dealing with any hackers who manage to penetrate other defenses. Notably, the feature has already been integrated into the Battlefield franchise, with Secure Boot becoming mandatory in titles such as BF2042 and the forthcoming BF6.

As Black Ops 7 approaches, players will also be required to verify their birth date, ensuring that game accessibility aligns with age regulations.

In addition to Secure Boot, the game will necessitate a Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0), a chip that safeguards the boot process against tampering. Fortunately, TPM 2.0 is a common feature in most modern PCs, reducing the impact on players needing to upgrade their systems.

The developers articulated their reasoning for this significant change, stating,

“We’re committed to providing a fun, fair and secure environment to our community. This will allow for maximum impact and minimal disruption to PC players.”

Steps to Enable Secure Boot on Your PC

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run Window.
Type msinfo32 and hit Enter.
In the System Information section, select System Summary.
Ensure the BIOS Mode value is set to UEFI.
Switch the Secure Boot State to On.

As previously noted, Black Ops 6 will not require Secure Boot; however, players may start receiving notifications prompting them to activate it in preparation for Black Ops 7.

Currently, the Secure Boot requirement is exclusive to Black Ops 7 and is not planned for Warzone. That said, developers have mentioned they will continue to assess the integration of this feature within the battle royale environment.

Source & Images