Virtual Shield

Virtual Shield (also known as V-Shield) is a client and server-side hacking/botting prevention, anti-cheating system for online games developed by VShield LLC. It is loaded alongside the game client and blocks the use of malicious third party tools which access the virtual address space of the client or hook APIs used by the client. Virtual Shield is a B2B2C security service for online game companies.

Mechanism

V-Shield is loaded by the game client in the form of a Dynamic Link Library. During the loading process, the DLL unpacks and loads other related DLL's and Drivers. Some versions simply maintain a connection to the game server and encrypt data transmitted between the game client and server, signing each message with a checksum of pre-decided regions of the virtual address space of the game client. Other versions maintain a connection to the V-Shield server from where they download encryption algorithms and instructions on which memory regions are to be used to sign the messages sent from the client, these instructions vary from time to time and are randomized in order and length to prevent recognition by malicious programs.

System Requirements

Problems

Operating systems such as Microsoft Windows 7 are not supported. Problems have also been noted regarding conflicts of V-Shield with certain Anti-Virus software.