Microsoft looking to restrict kernel level access after CrowdStrike incident might help us with our current Anti-Cheat dilemma

CrowdStrike’s Falcon software uses a special driver that allows it to run at a lower level than most apps so it can detect threats across a Windows system. Microsoft tried to restrict third parties from accessing the kernel in Windows Vista in 2006 but was met with pushback from cybersecurity vendors and EU regulators. However, Apple was able to lock down its macOS operating system in 2020 so that developers could no longer get access to the kernel.

Now, it looks like Microsoft wants to reopen the conversations around restricting kernel-level access inside Windows.

i still strongly believe that the default mode for any competitive multiplayer game should not rely on competitive matchmaking at all

the most obvious negative consequence is that this means every single game has to be treated with the same set of rules and fair play requirements -- and since it's impossible to moderate tens of thousands of matches at the same time, that means harsh algorithms and client-side cheat detection that compromises your system's security or fails on linux or causes other issues

whereas in the real world, an overwhelming majority of matches are casual. nobody brings in a league-licensed referee and does a doping test before organizing a workplace soccer game. there aren't cameras and faraday cages to prevent cheating at every chessboard in the local park.

now also consider that most ranked systems work based on either the Elo algorithm or one of its variants. these algorithms start off by placing the player into the middle-skill category and then down- or up-ranking them as they win or lose. these were intended to compare skilled professional players, and when you put them into a multiplayer environment, you basically break the system, because now the middle-skill area now has a constant influx of newbies amid actual mid-level players. then the system delivers those newbies a gut-wrenching series of losses just because they were initially placed beyond their skill level. (even worse, as said series of losses goes on, they usually stop being matched with other newbies and start competing against more skilled low-to-mid-tier players, leading to further losses!)

do ranked matches have a place in gaming? of course. especially since now every game wants to have a high-level e-sports competition. but these should not be the default way in which one plays online matches. the default mode should be based on dedicated servers and perhaps friend lists, matching the way we play games in the real world. then, once the player feels skilled enough to play ranked, they can join the ranked mode and fight through the leagues for their e-sports glory.

Oh look at this

So automattic/Tumblr's CEO is making the company email servers to redirect all mail from teamblind.com to his own personal address instead of the actual person who registered to Blind, so he can know who signed up using their corporate email (the only way to sign up).

Not only that, but by doing this, he could just go through the company email address list, hit the "forgot your password" link, and find out who already has an account, and even steal it.

Very sane, not creepy, absolutely not sociopath move, sire. Absolutely normal and not crazy maniac behavior.

‡ If you don't know blind, it's a platform that let employees of a company to anonymously talk between them about their employer