Is CS2 safe to play?

Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) was released in 2023 and quickly rose to the top of the multiplayer gaming charts. Since then, it has been one of the most widely played first-person shooters, with north of 1 million monthly players.

The game has not been smooth and seamless, and many players have reported crashes, glitches, and significant performance drops. However, the latest bug in the game caused the most concern among the community.

Since the latest breach of December 2023, when a bug in the game was used to find the IP addresses of several players, many players have asked this question: is CS2 safe to play?

In this article, we’ll answer the above question in detail.

Here’s what we will cover:

The CS2 security exploit of December 2023
Valve’s response and fix
How to protect yourself while playing multiplayer games?

The CS2 security exploit of December 2023

One of the most alarming and widespread security incidents that CS2 has faced was in December 2023. This exploit was discovered by a group of hackers who claimed to have found a way to execute malicious code on the players’ computers by using custom images in the game.

These images could be embedded in the game’s chat, profile pictures, or map textures, and they could trigger various actions on the victims’ machines, such as opening web pages, downloading files, or even taking control of the system.

The hackers demonstrated their exploit by targeting a popular CS2 streamer who was live on Twitch. They managed to send him a custom image through the game’s chat, which caused his computer to open a web page with a loud sound and a flashing message. The streamer was shocked and confused by the incident, and he quickly closed the game and the web page.

However, the hackers claimed that they could have done more damage if they wanted to, such as stealing his personal information, deleting his files, or locking his computer.

The exploit quickly gained attention on social media, especially on Twitter and Reddit, where many players expressed their concerns and fears about the safety of CS2. Some players advised others to avoid playing the game until Valve fixed the issue, while others suggested disabling the game’s chat, profile pictures, and custom maps. Some players also reported that they had been affected by the exploit and that they had experienced similar incidents or worse.

The exploit also branched to another exploit that enables hackers to control the in-game elements of the game, including the game menu and inventory, through malicious workshop maps.

Also read: What is Q1Q file extension? Is it safe?

Valve’s response and fix

Valve quietly fixed both issues in an unannounced patch. However, players reported that the patches didn’t fix the second issue but only disabled it.

Also, the players reported that the first update caused them to face certain unwanted consequences. Some players reported that with this update, several useful features, such as GIFs profile pictures and map overviews, were disabled.

Moreover, hackers found other ways to bypass the patch and introduce custom images into the game.

Valve had to release another set of patches to address these issues. This comprehensive patch was more effective.

As of now, CS2 is safe to play and has no reported issues.

How to protect yourself while playing multiplayer games?

Here are some tips that you should keep in mind while playing multiplayer games:

Use a strong password for your Steam or other accounts and make it a habit to regularly change it.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Steam account.
Never click on any link that you receive in your chat inbox during the game. There is a high probability that the link may be malicious and it can damage your device or breach it.
Never share your personal or financial details during or after the game with anyone on the internet.
Do not fall for scams where the scammers are offering free skins, money, or in-game items. Also, avoid trading items if you don’t know the person.
Avoid accepting any friend requests from strangers.
Install a reputed antivirus on your device.
Always keep your device’s OS up-to-date.

In conclusion, CS2 is safe to play barring a few bugs here and there. Follow the tips that we have mentioned above to protect your personal and financial information while playing CS2 or any other multiplayer game.