What is a DMA cheat and how does it work
A DMA cheat does not run on the gaming PC but on a second computer, through a separate direct memory access card. Here is how it works and what you need.
What DMA is
DMA (Direct Memory Access) lets a device read a computer's RAM without involving the CPU or the programs running on it. DMA cheats are built on this.
How a DMA cheat works
- A DMA card is installed in the gaming PC (usually into a PCIe slot).
- The card is connected to a second computer, where the cheat runs.
- The cheat on the second computer reads game data through the card — player positions, items and more — and shows it, for example, on a radar or a second monitor.
The key difference from a regular cheat: no cheat program runs on the gaming PC — it works on a separate device.
What you need for a DMA cheat
- A DMA card in the gaming PC.
- A second computer to run the cheat.
- Firmware for the card. The firmware defines how the card appears to the system; different anti-cheats call for different firmware. The catalog has DMA card firmware.
- The DMA cheat itself for your game.
Every DMA cheat has its own exact requirements — they are listed on its page in the “System requirements” tab.
DMA cheats in the Fresh Focus catalog
The catalog currently has 75 DMA cheats for 27 games — they are collected in the DMA section. Most DMA cheats are for Rust, DayZ, Apex Legends.
Does a DMA cheat guarantee no ban?
No. Anti-cheats learn to recognise DMA devices too, so DMA cheats also have a status. Check it before buying — see the article about cheat statuses.
Questions and answers
Do I need a second computer for a DMA cheat?
Yes. The cheat runs on the second computer, and the gaming PC has a DMA card through which the cheat reads game data.
Why does a DMA card need firmware?
The firmware defines how the card is recognised by the system. Different anti-cheats call for different firmware — the catalog has a separate section with DMA card firmware.
How is a DMA cheat different from a regular one?
A regular cheat runs on the gaming PC, while a DMA cheat runs on a second computer and gets game data through a DMA card.