Why Games Use Different Types of Bans
Undoubtedly, games use different types of bans to ensure fair play, maintain a positive community, and effectively manage rule enforcement. Thus, ban types vary because player offenses can range from minor infractions to severe cheating or toxic behavior, each requiring an appropriate level of punishment.
For example, temporary bans serve as warnings or penalties for lesser offenses and allow players a chance to reform, while permanent bans remove persistent offenders from the game entirely. Additionally, some bans, like shadow bans, quietly restrict a player’s interaction without full removal, which helps reduce disruptive behavior without alerting the offender. The diversity in ban types also allows game developers to enforce rules in an enforceable and clearly defined way and prevent abuses while keeping the gameplay experience enjoyable for others.
What Is an IP Ban?
An IP ban is a restriction placed on a specific IP address, preventing any device using that IP from accessing a particular game server or online service. Instead of targeting a player’s account alone, IP bans block the network location itself, which means any player connecting from that IP address is unable to join.
This ban type is typically used against players who repeatedly violate game rules, such as those who cheat, harass others, or engage in toxic behavior and makes it harder for them to re-enter the game using new accounts. While effective in blocking offenders at the network level, IP bans can also inadvertently affect other users sharing the same IP address.
How IP Bans Work in Online Games
In online games, IP bans work by tracking the IP address from which a connection to the game server is made. When a player is flagged for misconduct, such as cheating or toxic behavior, the game administrators or automated systems add their IP address to a blacklist. From then on, any attempt to connect from that IP is blocked by the server and prevents the player from accessing the game.
What Is an HWID Ban?
A Hardware ID (HWID) ban is a strict enforcement measure that prevents a particular physical machine from accessing a game or online service. Unlike account-level suspensions, an HWID ban targets the hardware itself by linking enforcement to identifiers derived from the device’s components.
How HWID Bans Work in Practice
HWID bans function by using distinct identifiers from the components in your computer. When you join a game server, the client inspects your system for those hardware values and builds a unique fingerprint for the machine. That fingerprint, namely the device’s digital fingerprint, is recorded by the developer or service operator. If you violate the rules, the operator tags that hardware fingerprint in their ban list, and any future connection attempts from the same machine are blocked.
Because the restriction is tied to the device fingerprint rather than a user account, simply creating new accounts does not evade the ban and the hardware fingerprint reveals the same machine every time. Many competitive multiplayer titles employ HWID bans as a deterrent and mitigation for severe cheating and abusive behaviour, since they are difficult to circumvent.
Key Differences Between IP Ban and HWID Ban
An IP ban blocks access based on the internet protocol (IP) address assigned to the player’s network. This means any device connecting from the same IP cannot access the game or service. IP bans are also easier to impose and bypass, as players can change their IP address by resetting their router, using a different network, or employing VPN services.
In contrast, a HWID ban targets the unique hardware signature of a player’s device, such as components like the motherboard or network card. HWID bans are more severe because they restrict the very device used to connect, regardless of the account or IP change. While IP bans block at the network level, HWID bans block at the device level, making HWID bans harder to bypass and commonly reserved for repeat or serious offenders like cheaters.
Which Ban Is Harder to Bypass?
HWID bans are generally harder to bypass than IP bans. Since IP bans depend on the network address, users can often circumvent them quickly by changing their IP or using VPNs. HWID bans, however, identify a device based on hardware fingerprints, which are much more difficult to modify. Bypassing a HWID ban may require changing physical hardware components or using specialized software to spoof the hardware ID, which is more complex and costly.
Risks and Consequences of IP Bans
IP bans restrict all devices on a network by blocking their Internet Protocol address and prevent access to a game or service. The risks include not only punishing the offending user but also unintentionally affecting innocent users sharing the same IP, such as family members or people using public Wi-Fi. Consequences range from temporary suspensions to permanent bans, which can lock out every device on that network indefinitely. Users may experience disruption in gameplay, inability to create or access accounts, and loss of progress or purchases tied to that network.
Risks and Consequences of HWID Bans
Conversely, HWID bans target a unique hardware identifier tied to a player’s physical device. The major risk for banned players is needing to replace or spoof their hardware components to regain access, which may be expensive and technically challenging. HWID bans often result in longer or permanent restrictions compared to IP bans while affecting a single device regardless of network or account changes.
Can Anti-Cheat Systems Combine IP and HWID Bans?
Many modern anti-cheat systems combine IP and HWID bans to enhance their effectiveness in deterring and penalizing players who break rules. By using multiple layers of bans, game administrators reduce the chances of offenders returning through simple workarounds like changing accounts or IP addresses. Therefore, you can choose ABCheats to have a gaming experience without the risk of detection.