Riot Games, known for its popular titles like League of Legends and Valorant, continues its relentless battle against cheaters. To further reinforce the security of its proprietary anti-cheat system, Vanguard, the company is offering a lucrative reward of up to $100,000 USD to ethical hackers who uncover critical vulnerabilities.
This initiative, facilitated through the HackerOne platform, highlights Riot’s commitment to maintaining a fair and secure gaming environment.
Why Riot is Doubling Down on Vanguard
Since its implementation, Vanguard has significantly improved Riot’s ability to detect and prevent cheating in its games. Despite some controversies, including complaints about system conflicts caused by Vanguard’s kernel-level access, the software has shown promising results.
However, hackers continue to find ways to exploit security gaps, prompting Riot to invest further in preemptive measures.
The $100K Reward: How It Works
Through HackerOne, Riot Games connects with skilled programmers and ethical hackers who specialize in finding vulnerabilities in software systems. The reward system is tiered, with payments depending on the severity and exploitability of the discovered flaw. Only kernel-level vulnerabilities in Vanguard are eligible for rewards.
Key details include:
- Confidentiality: Participants are prohibited from making their findings public if they wish to claim the bounty.
- Focus on Kernel-level Exploits: Only vulnerabilities at the deepest level of the software architecture qualify.
- Collaboration with HackerOne: This partnership ensures that discoveries are managed securely and professionally.
Riot Games and HackerOne have a longstanding relationship, but this enhanced reward system signals an increased emphasis on proactively securing Vanguard against potential threats.
Preparing for a Safer Gaming Experience
By offering substantial rewards, Riot Games aims to close any remaining security gaps in Vanguard. This effort comes as the gaming community gears up for major updates in League of Legends and Valorant’s upcoming seasons.
The initiative underscores Riot’s commitment to fostering a cheat-free gaming experience, benefiting both casual and competitive players alike.
This bold step further solidifies Riot Games as a leader in the fight against cheating, ensuring that its games remain a fair and enjoyable space for all.
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