Modern anti-cheat software like , BattlEye , and Ricochet create a unique "fingerprint" of a machine by logging serial numbers from components such as the motherboard, CPU, GPU, and storage drives. When a player is banned, this fingerprint is blacklisted.

: Permanent spoofers that modify BIOS or firmware can "brick" a motherboard, rendering the entire PC unusable.

: Many "free" tools are Trojan horses, keyloggers, or ransomware designed to steal login credentials, banking info, or personal data.