A detailed analysis of Denuvo's work has appeared: how does protection against hacking work
A long article appeared online recently, dedicated to the analysis of Denuvo protection — one of the most complex and discussed DRM systems. The author of the post described in detail how the protection works and revealed the key mechanisms used to prevent game hacks.
How does Denuvo work?
Denuvo ties games to the unique hardware data of the device. When you first launch a game, it collects information about the processor, operating system, and other components of the computer. This data is sent to the Denuvo server, where a special "license file" is created. This file is used for all subsequent launches of the game.
If the hardware parameters of the computer change (for example, replacing the processor or updating the OS), the system may delete the old file and request a new one, which prevents the game from being used on other devices without re-authorization.
Unique technologies
- Removing instructions. Critical parts of the game code are replaced with encrypted instructions that are executed only after the license is verified.
- Virtual machineThe game's key functions are processed through the Denuvo virtual machine, which obfuscates the code and makes it virtually unreadable.
- System checks. Denuvo analyzes the processor, data Windows and even library functions to ensure that the game code has not been modified.
Why is it so hard to hack?
One of the main problems for hackers is the use of mixed arithmetic operations (MBA). This method rewrites simple game commands into complex combinations that are almost impossible to analyze.
Сonclusion
Denuvo continues to be one of the most effective DRM solutions. Despite criticism for its potential impact on performance, its complexity makes it virtually impossible to crack.