VAC stands for Valve Anti-Cheat, an automated system designed to detect cheats installed on users’ computers. If a user connects to a VAC-Secured server from a computer with identifiable cheats installed, the VAC system will ban the user from playing that game on VAC-Secured servers in the future.
Does VAC scan your computer?
VAC is a component of Steamworks and the Steam client, and works by scanning the users system for cheats while your game is running.
How does VAC Anticheat work?
How long does a VAC ban last?
If you know just one thing about Valve’s Anti-Cheat system (VAC), you probably know that a ban issued through it lasts forever. As Valve’s support page lays out clearly, “VAC bans are permanent, non-negotiable, and cannot be removed by Steam Support.”
How easy is it to get VAC banned?
It is possible to get VAC banned for no reason, but it is highly uncommon. Even if it happens, incorrectly issued bans are automatically removed, according to Steam. Our comprehensive guide will explain why Valve decided to ban your account and what you should do to avoid VAC bans in the future.
