Tutorials

▷ What is PunkBuster and can I uninstall it?

PunkBuster is an anti-cheat engine used by many games. Monitors a system for evidence that the player is illegally using something to enhance their online gaming experience. There will be two processes for this engine, PnkBstrA.exe y PnkBstrB.exe. These processes run in the background of the system. If PunkBuster detects something suspicious, will kick the user. This program aims to separate cheaters and prevent them from interrupting legitimate games.

PunkBuster has kicked you out

The program was developed in 2000 by the founder of Even Balance, Tony Ray, after getting tired of cheating in Team Fortress Classic game. It was first introduced with Return to Castle Wolfenstein in 2001. It is available for Mac, Linux y Windows. PunkBuster will install automatically when the game that uses it is installed.

Install PunkBuster with the game

This engine runs in the background on the system. PunkBuster scans the system memory for “hacking” O “cheat programs” when playing a multiplayer game online (usando PunkBuster).

PunkBuster will automatically update your databases to »new definitions» for new cheat programs / hacking. It works similarly to an antivirus program, but will search “aimbots”, “map hacks” and anything that helps the player gain an unfair advantage in the game. Even if, will ignore the tricks / cheats in single player games. The anti-cheat engine is designed to connect to the Internet and adds an exception to the Windows Firewall.

PunkBuster also checks the integrity of game files to make sure they are not altered.. As the name suggests, is designed to break the traps of the “punks”. After all, it is unfair to be trampled by a cheater in an online game. If you are using a game that uses PunkBuster, then you will have PunkBuster on your system.

Usando PunkBuster

PunkBuster only fires when a user plays a PunkBuster-enabled game on a PunkBuster-enabled server. Remember that it is the game server administrator's decision to use PunkBuster or not. Games must be designed to support PunkBuster. When you connect to a PunkBuster-enabled server, this will scan your system in the background to see if you are cheating or not. The server administrator can use a variety of tools to verify the system. You can take screenshots of the game you are playing and view information about your system.

If PunkBuster detects something suspicious, you will be banned from using that server. You may receive a warning, but it can also be permanently banned based on the game CD key or your PC hardware details. As a result of the ban, you will not be able to play PunkBuster enabled games on that PunkBuster enabled server.

Is PunkBuster safe?

The PunkBuster engine will have a process PnkBstrA.exe in Task Manager and PnkBstrA in Services, both will run in the background.

PnkBstrA in Services

PunkBuster will only load when you play a game that uses PunkBuster; otherwise, will do nothing most of the time, except download new definition updates. Then, do not worry, it is not a virus,

PunkBuster-enabled games

PunkBuster was integrated into Battlefield Hardline in 2015, since then PunkBuster has not been integrated into the big games. Modern kits have largely been carried over to other anti-cheat tools such as the Valve Anti-Cheat System (VAC).

Here's the list of the top games still using PunkBuster:

US Army Proving Ground
Warrior Medal of Honor
Hardline of the battlefield
Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad
Battlefield 3
Black light retribution
Far cry 3
Battlefield Bad Company 2
Battlefield 4
Future Ghost Recon Soldier
Medal of Honor

For a single player mode, don't need PunkBuster, but for online multiplayer modes, you will need to keep PunkBuster on your system.

How to uninstall PunkBuster

If you do not participate in online multiplayer games, you can uninstall PunkBuster, If you wish.

To Uninstall PunkBuster,

Press the Windows key, type »Control Panel» and in the resulting list, click on Control Panel. Open the control panel
In the control panel, click Uninstall a program. Uninstall a program
Now select »PunkBuster Services» from the list of installed software, and then click the button «Uninstall / Change". Desinstalar PunkBuster
Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the uninstall process.

Note that, since many games use PunkBuster to detect cheats / hackers, uninstalling it will make some games useless or unplayable.

PunkBuster communication error

If you want to reinstall PunkBuster, visit the official download page to download and install PunkBuster. And then you can play PunkBuster-enabled games.