PunkBuster Editor's Review

If you are a fan of online gaming but are tired of playing against people who cheat to get ahead, PunkBuster could be the program for you. The software allows you to keep your network free of cheats by scanning the memory of computers involved in playing any game.

Any computer that is found to be cheating can be banned from games and entire servers, allowing the rest of the players to compete in a fair environment.

The software is available on all Windows operating systems and is completely free. It has also been scanned for viruses and has been awarded the McAfee SECURE stamp of quality, so you don’t have to worry about contracting any bugs when downloading it.

Some users have found they have an issue with the software firms’ level of control – in order to run, the program takes full control of a user’s game when it is installed. However, it is this level of control that allows the service to check for cheats, so it really is a necessary evil.

Pro's: Helpful way of keeping your gaming network free from cheats and spammers

Con's: System takes complete control over users’ gaming software, which some may view as unfair

Conclusion: PunkBuster is a great way to keep your gaming networks free from cheats. Admittedly, you do have to relinquish some of the control of your games to the company, but that’s really a small price to pay for knowing you can play your favourite games on an even playing field!