GGPoker Announces New Security Features and Third-Party Software Ban

By Mrinal Gujare

3 hours ago

Mrinal Gujare 3 hours ago

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GGPoker added four optional security features and win-rate anomaly detection to enhance player safety.
All third-party poker software and automation tools are now banned to reduce potential security risks.
Support for outdated operating systems will end in 2027; findings from a recent incident were shared with Coinbase and law enforcement.

GGPoker has introduced four optional client security features, added win-rate anomaly detection, and banned third-party poker software and automation tools. The operator will end support for older operating systems in 2027 and has shared incident findings with Coinbase and law enforcement.

GGPoker has announced a series of security measures covering its game client, integrity monitoring systems, third-party software policy and operating system requirements following a recent security incident.

The changes include four optional client security features, a new method for detecting abnormally high win rates and a broader prohibition on third-party poker software and automation tools.

The operator also outlined steps taken to trace funds associated with the incident, including sharing findings with Coinbase and reporting cryptocurrency wallet addresses to industry networks and law enforcement.

GGPoker is introducing a new Client Security section in Game Settings, giving users access to four features designed to protect their sessions. All four features are optional and operate only while the GGPoker client is open.

The features are Screen Guard, Connection Monitor, Allowed Processes and DNS Check. Screen Guard is designed to prevent screenshots, recordings, screen-sharing software and remote-viewing applications from accessing players' tables and hole cards.

This protection applies to screen-sharing and remote-access software running on a computer, regardless of whether the user installed it.

Players can also enable the Protect the whole Client option to extend Screen Guard protection to the lobby, cashier and account pages. This is intended to keep information such as GG Wallet balances, transaction history and personal details private.

Connection Monitor alerts users to applications with suspicious connections, including remote-control tools and proxies. The Allowed Processes feature lets players designate trusted applications so they do not trigger alerts. The fourth feature, DNS Check, examines the network for signs of DNS hijacking.

New Win-Rate Anomaly Detection Method

GGPoker has added a new method to its game integrity monitoring system designed to identify abnormally high win rates, which it calls Win-Rate Anomaly Detection (WAD).

The operator said most online poker integrity checks analyze hand histories for patterns associated with collusion, ghosting, botting and the use of real-time assistance tools. GGPoker stated that its existing monitoring covers these areas, with WAD introducing an additional method based on a different dataset.

Under the new approach, the system reviews each decision in a hand and assesses whether it was correct based on the cards actually held by an opponent.

WAD is intended to identify players who make correct decisions far more frequently than any honest playing style would allow, particularly when those decisions rely on information about opponents' cards that should not be available to them.

GGPoker said it had tested the methodology and identified cases from the past. The operator believes the new approach will help prevent edge cases that occurred recently.

GGPoker Bans Third-Party Poker Software and Automation Tools

GGPoker is tightening its policy on third-party poker software and automation tools that run alongside its game client.

According to the operator, these applications may access game data, interact with poker tables or automate actions on a player's computer. GGPoker also noted that it cannot see or control how every third-party application handles user information, creating additional potential points of exposure.

The operator previously allowed certain third-party tools that did not affect gameplay. Following the recent incident, however, it has decided to prohibit all third-party poker software and automation tools.

The prohibited applications include:

- Jurojin

- PokerTracker 4

- Hand2Note

- Holdem Manager 3

- StarsCaption

- DriveHUD 2

- Intuitive Tables

- Lobbyze

- Equilab

- AutoHotkey

- Other third-party poker software and automation tools

GGPoker has instructed players to fully close these applications before launching its client.

Support for Older Windows and macOS Versions to End in 2027

GGPoker will end support for outdated operating systems in 2027 as part of its efforts to strengthen account security and software integrity.

The affected platforms include Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and macOS 11, also known as Big Sur, or earlier versions of macOS.

The operator said these systems no longer receive manufacturer security patches, leaving them exposed to modern exploits and critical security risks. Phasing out support is intended to help protect player accounts against those threats.

To avoid service interruptions when the transition takes effect, GGPoker has advised users to update their computers to at least Windows 10 or macOS 12 Monterey.

GGPoker Shares Findings With Coinbase and Law Enforcement

GGPoker also provided an update on its response to the recent security incident and its efforts to support affected players and the wider community.

The operator said it had traced the funds involved and identified the cryptocurrency wallet address associated with the incident. It shared its findings with Coinbase, where it believes the funds were deposited, and requested that the exchange restrict the associated account and preserve its records.

GGPoker also reported the wallet addresses to industry networks that track illicit funds and to law enforcement.

The operator said it would continue cooperating with authorities and the community as its response progresses.

GGPoker's announced measures cover client-level privacy protections, additional game integrity monitoring, restrictions on third-party software and the retirement of support for older operating systems.

The operator said keeping its tables safe remains an ongoing effort. It plans to share further updates as the matter develops and additional security features become available.

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