Recently, I've found a few games that use an anti-cheating program called "Punkbuster". After downloading the games and playing them, I found that my computer was working much slower than it had been before. In fact, this was happening even AFTER I had stopped playing the aforementioned games.
I decided to look into why this might be and found out that installing Punkbuster allows their servers to have full and unrestricted access to your computer.
It even says in their ToS:
"Licensee understands and agrees that the information that may be inspected and reported by PunkBuster software includes, but is not limited to, devices and any files residing on the hard-drive and in the memory of the computer on which PunkBuster software is installed. Further, Licensee consents to allow PunkBuster software to transfer actual screenshots taken of Licensee's computer during the operation of PunkBuster software for possible publication."
Then, later it says:
"Licensee agrees that any harm or lack of privacy resulting from the installation and use of PunkBuster software is not as valuable to Licensee as the potential ability to play interactive online games with the benefits afforded by using PunkBuster software."
So, after grabbing my paper bag to hyperventilate in, I started uninstalling it (which I am still in the process of doing, seeing as little bits and pieces of it are still hanging around my computer for some reason) and I began to wonder...
What do other gamers think of how Punkbuster operates?
So, I decided to ask that here, to see what you guys think of this whole thing.
I decided to look into why this might be and found out that installing Punkbuster allows their servers to have full and unrestricted access to your computer.
It even says in their ToS:
"Licensee understands and agrees that the information that may be inspected and reported by PunkBuster software includes, but is not limited to, devices and any files residing on the hard-drive and in the memory of the computer on which PunkBuster software is installed. Further, Licensee consents to allow PunkBuster software to transfer actual screenshots taken of Licensee's computer during the operation of PunkBuster software for possible publication."
Then, later it says:
"Licensee agrees that any harm or lack of privacy resulting from the installation and use of PunkBuster software is not as valuable to Licensee as the potential ability to play interactive online games with the benefits afforded by using PunkBuster software."
So, after grabbing my paper bag to hyperventilate in, I started uninstalling it (which I am still in the process of doing, seeing as little bits and pieces of it are still hanging around my computer for some reason) and I began to wonder...
What do other gamers think of how Punkbuster operates?
So, I decided to ask that here, to see what you guys think of this whole thing.
