Fast-acting anti-cheat: Chip away at cheaters from the moment you sign in
Activision’s Team Ricochet has publicized a strong start to its anti-cheat effort during the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 beta. The company says that 97% of cheaters were identified within 30 minutes of signing in, and fewer than 1% of cheating attempts even reached a match. The message is clear: the upgraded protections were designed to hit hard and move quickly, helping protect the integrity of early-access play.
What’s driving the rapid detections
Several layers of protection bolster Team Ricochet’s efficacy. The system relies on strengthened TPM 2.0 checks and automated monitoring that can eliminate a large portion of cheat attempts before players ever enter a game. In practice, this means fewer disrupted matches and a cleaner beta experience for competitors who want to test the game’s mechanics and balance.
Activision emphasized that cheating remains a persistent challenge in any large-beta run and reinforced that it expects some attempts. The key takeaway is the speed of response: most cheaters were stopped before they could mount a real in-game advantage, and those who slipped through were quickly neutralized as enforcement streams continued in real time.
Beyond in-game penalties: enforcement and collaboration
The publisher noted that player reports remain a critical component of the anti-cheat ecosystem. Reinforced detection models, ongoing enforcement refinement, and broader coverage are all fueled by community feedback. This collaborative approach helps ensure that new cheats are detected promptly and that the system learns from evolving attack patterns.
Targeting cheat developers and distributors
Activision also provided an update on its broader strategy against cheating. The company says most major cheat providers acknowledge Black Ops 7 as effectively unusable due to Team Ricochet. Beyond in-game enforcement, Activision is closing cheat developers and resellers, aiming to disrupt the illicit ecosystem that sustains cheating. Since Black Ops 6, the company claims to have shut down more than 40 cheat operations, illustrating the scale of its ongoing effort.
What players should know for launch
As launch approaches, Activision promises that every layer of protection will be active at full strength. Ricochet’s defenses are described as continually evolving, with new systems being introduced during beta, ongoing fine-tuning, and faster responses to emerging threats. The company underscored its commitment to transparency, community input, and constant evolution in the fight for fair play across the Call of Duty franchise.
Practical tips for PC players entering the beta
PC gamers preparing for the Black Ops 7 beta should note the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements. This hardware and firmware security check helps ensure cheat prevention at the system level, adding a barrier beyond software-only protections. Users who do not enable Secure Boot or TPM 2.0 may be restricted from beta access or launch participation. If you’re looking to join, guides are available on enabling Secure Boot and accessing the BO7 Early Access Beta, as well as information on unlockables and Twitch drops.
Bottom line
Activision’s early beta data suggests a robust starting point for Team Ricochet, with rapid detection and a clear plan to expand protections at launch. As a shared industry challenge, the anti-cheat initiative is positioned as a collaborative effort between developers, players, and the broader gaming community.
