A recent investigation by Surfshark has revealed that Call of Duty players are more likely than any others to seek out illicit advantages. Data suggests that for every 1,000 users, there are 66 search queries specifically related to gaming cheats.
This trend places the franchise at the absolute forefront of the competitive multiplayer landscape. For seasoned veterans, these statistics are hardly a revelation, as the plague of cheating has been intertwined with Call of Duty’s online legacy since its inception.
Rocket League secured the second spot in the rankings, followed closely by other prominent titles like Rainbow Six Siege (53 queries) and Marvel Rivals (45).
The study highlights a profound disparity between various gaming communities and genres. While Call of Duty faces a surge in exploit-related interest, the League of Legends audience maintains one of the cleanest records, with a mere 0.3 queries per 1,000 players. Similar integrity is seen in VALORANT, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike. Popular battle royales occupy the middle tier, with PUBG at 39, Apex Legends at 25, and Fortnite at 20.
Cybersecurity experts warn that resorting to cheats compromises more than just fair play. Surfshark spokesperson Tomas Stamulis points out that such software frequently requires administrative system privileges or the deactivation of antivirus tools. This creates a direct gateway for malicious software, including Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and sophisticated data-theft tools.
Activision has responded by urging caution when interpreting these results. A representative for the company noted that the report merely reflects search engine trends, not the actual density of cheaters within live matches. According to the publisher, “sensationalist headlines” are far less effective at combating the issue than internal anti-cheat systems and direct player reporting.
Source: iXBT.games