Most Popular Games for Cheaters Revealed — CS2 Still Makes the Top 10

A new report from Surfshark has revealed which multiplayer games attract the most interest from players searching for cheating software. According to the company’s research, thousands of users actively look for hacks, cheats, and other unfair advantages in competitive online titles.

The study analyzed search data related to cheating tools across various multiplayer games. The results were normalized per 1,000 people, allowing analysts to compare how often players search for cheats in different gaming communities.

Unsurprisingly, the top spot went to the long-running shooter franchise Call of Duty. The series has consistently struggled with cheating issues over the years, especially in its competitive multiplayer modes and battle royale environments.

A surprising second place belongs to the arcade-style football game Rocket League. While the game relies heavily on physics-based mechanics and mechanical skill, it appears that many players still search for ways to gain an unfair advantage.

Closing out the top three is the tactical shooter Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, another competitive title that has dealt with ongoing anti-cheat challenges.

Other games appearing in the top ten include several well-known competitive titles. Among them are Marvel Rivals, PUBG: Battlegrounds, Dota 2, Fortnite, and Counter-Strike 2.

For the CS community, this result is both expected and concerning. As one of the most competitive shooters ever created, Counter-Strike has always attracted players looking for shortcuts to victory. Despite continued efforts to improve anti-cheat systems, the demand for cheats remains part of the ecosystem surrounding highly competitive games.

Interestingly, the report also highlights titles with relatively low interest in cheating tools. Among the games with the fewest cheat-related searches are Overwatch and League of Legends. Both games remain extremely popular, particularly in Asian and North American esports scenes, yet appear to generate fewer searches related to cheating software.

CS:GO Returns to Steam: Legendary Shooter Can Once Again Be Downloaded Directly

While the presence of cheats is an ongoing issue in competitive gaming, reports like this help highlight where the problem is most visible. For players in the Counter-Strike community, maintaining fair competition remains one of the most important topics as the ecosystem around Counter-Strike 2 continues to grow.