HWID ban and spoofer: what they are and when you need one
Sometimes an anti-cheat bans not the account but the computer itself — this is called a HWID ban. Here is how it works and how a spoofer helps.
What HWID is
HWID (Hardware ID) means the identifiers of a computer's hardware: serial numbers of drives, the motherboard, the network card and other devices. An anti-cheat can recognise the computer by them even if you log in with a new account.
What a HWID ban is
A regular ban blocks the account. With a HWID ban the anti-cheat remembers the hardware identifiers and blocks the computer: a new account on the same PC may get banned too.
What a spoofer does
A HWID spoofer is a program that changes the hardware identifiers the game and the anti-cheat see. To them, the computer looks like a different device.
- Spoofers differ in which games and anti-cheats they work with — this is stated in the description.
- Like cheats, spoofers have a status and system requirements — check them before buying.
How to choose a spoofer
- Make sure the spoofer supports your game and its anti-cheat.
- Check the status — see the article about statuses.
- Compare the system requirements: Windows version, CPU and BIOS settings (for example, Secure Boot or TPM).
Spoofers in the Fresh Focus catalog
The catalog has 32 spoofers — they are collected in the spoofer section. Each one shows its status, access periods, price and requirements.
Questions and answers
Does a spoofer remove a HWID ban?
A spoofer does not lift the ban; it changes the hardware identifiers that the game and the anti-cheat see. Whether a particular spoofer works with your game is stated in its description and status.
Do I need a spoofer if I have not been banned?
A spoofer is needed when the anti-cheat has already remembered your hardware. If in doubt, contact support — we will help with a specific product.