Allow Elsword to work with VPN (Such as NordVPN)

[open junco]

I recently encountered a significant problem when someone managed to hack into my PC, causing a range of issues. To resolve this, I changed all my passwords and added authentication apps for my programs. As a software support engineer, I'm aware of the security risks involved in using the internet daily, so I decided to take additional precautions. I implemented a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to enhance my online privacy and security by encrypting my internet traffic and masking my IP address. My intention was solely to increase the safety of my network, and I used split tunneling to exclude certain programs from going through the VPN tunnel.

Everything worked well for half a year until Elsword's recent update of its Terms of Service (TOS). My game began to crash every two minutes after I connected. The issue arose because Elsword has a problem with VPNs, even though mine was not configured to interfere with the game. It detects the VPN running in the background and responds by disconnecting you with the "No response from server".

So basically, Elsword is like a child throwing a tantrum, just because they are in the same room with the kid they dislike. "Oh no, a VPN! I can't work with that on your PC because you might potentially use it to cheat. Masking your IP gives you an unfair advantage!"  (Keep in mind Elsword was excluded from the VPN using split tunneling.)

In my experience, the support team rarely makes use of checking anyone's IP, and masking your IP doesn't do anything to allow you to cheat on a game, unless you're making a change in its scripts or using a program to bypass the other (Elsword in this case).

Elsword focuses on things like these, but when it comes down to genuinely having to address issues, like the fact that a player is harassing another, all they do is say they are looking into it, and they don't do anything really. Genuine hacking programs bypass the XIGNCODE anti-cheat software every single day. And I know it because I've seen friends of mine who bother with PVP in this game, showing me how players use hacks to take advantage. Meanwhile, Elsword is worried about VPNs.

So, I question the logic behind preventing users from utilizing an additional layer of security for their networks and PCs. All my other games that use anti-cheat programs have had no issues with my VPN; they simply monitor for any external agents or applications that attempt to modify their game. However, Elsword's system seems to flag any exterior software that it considers a potential threat. I never asked Elsword to dictate what's best for my security; that seems unreasonable. From a software support engineering standpoint, I find it concerning that the developers are cutting corners to improve game stability and performance at the expense of user security.

In a world where cybersecurity risks are ever-increasing, I believe game developers should allow players who use VPNs to access games while monitoring actual software that targets the game’s processes. Just because a VPN is installed on my PC doesn't mean I'm using it for malicious purposes.

Thanks for reading,

End of rant.

(Yes, I know Elsword won't care about this suggestion, and I think that's fine, but it might help other people solve their crash issues if using a VPN.)

[rough matrix]

your so-called "child throwing a tantrum" is literally the generic adult behavior that in reality is more common in adults than it is or has ever been among any group of children, and the thing that results from being obsessed with fairy tales about adulthood that do not function or exist in reality. case in point: the fact that this is an issue in the first place, and the fact that security was ever invented and necessary at all.

the sheer hypocrisy of pinning that on kids... while whining about being unable to digitally pretend others shouldn't exist near you like you think adults supposedly have the right to. i assure you, your use of that rhetoric is more obnoxious than anything any child does, and a more pressing issue than anyone's vpn woes. and if you're not going to care, then no one else has to think this is helpful either.

[open junco]

I thought this was a feedback/suggestions channel, not a "hey let's criticize someone because they used a figurative sense to make a point and take it personally" channel. But hey, thank you for your opinion? Maybe next time, stick to the subject you're commenting on instead of attacking the person who submitted it? Or you could simply just dislike the post.

[pastel pagoda]

I just wanted to bump this.
I started experiencing a similar issue myself recently. The security has gotten even worse.
I have a VPN for similar reasons as the OP. However I do not mind exiting it out completely when playing Elsword. However in recent days the Malware that KoG has decided to use as their anti-cheat software started scanning the entire PC and files rather than checking which apps are currently running. Resulting in the game being unplayable just for having certain files on your computer.
I believe XIGNCODE to be far too intrusive, poorly optimised and would love nothing else but for KoG to consider a different app all together..

[marsh atlas]

Let me make this perfectly clear. A VPN is NOT a security product. its a privacy a geo-location bypass product.

only reason they block them is for security reason in the company. as in it makes it harder to punish people who are doing bad things when they obscure their info.

[open junco]

I want to clarify the following statement with some additional information. It's important to note that a VPN is a type of security software. While its popularity arises from enabling access to blocked websites and services due to regional restrictions, it offers much more than that.

Moreover, this does not prevent the company from addressing hackers. They can trace user activities through their backend logs or other monitoring tools when a user is modifying files within the game. This is precisely when XIGNCODE should take action—by disconnecting the user and reporting the incident.

Additionally, no one is suggesting that the game should be modified to allow users connected via a VPN to play. What we are requesting is for XIGNCODE to refrain from scanning all processes and program lists on our computers, and instead focus solely on monitoring its own running instance.

Currently, we have excluded Elsword from running through a VPN connection or have completely disabled the VPN, meaning Elsword is not connected to a VPN when we play. However, XIGNCODE scans the entire program list and prevents users from playing the game. Not because we are using the VPN, but because there is a VPN program present on the pc. So, in conclusion, we are suggesting that this be explored, and maybe changed or fixed in the future. Which is not likely to happen, but it's free to suggest, given the nature of the thread. I hope this clarifies our position for anyone who comes across this post. Thank you for your attention.

A bit of a source of information about VPN and how even large enterprises use them to keep their user's internet traffic safe.

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/cloud-computing-dictionary/what-is-a-vpn#:~:text=While a VPN can't,%2C government censorship%2C and cybercrime.

[marsh atlas]

The scope of a VPN's protection is limited to network-level obfuscation and encryption, a far cry from comprehensive cybersecurity

It is, and i Repeat, Not a Security Product.

There is a reason VPNs are mostly not allowed for games as it conflicts with the tools they use to monitor and keep the game working.

Do they need better tools than xigncode? yes.
Will they get better tools than xigncode? maybe but likely not.

That is all im going to say on this matter.

[open junco]

Okay, thank you for your opinion.

[old vine]

The easiest way for you to receive an official word about your opinion is to send a ticket instead of posting on discord.

[mint wyvern]

Vpns outside of enterprise are only really useful for region locks lol

Or if you’re in a crappy country sure (government censorship etc)

Otherwise everything else is snake oil because most things are https

As much as I agree that VPNs shouldn’t be banned, saying security reasons then posting an AI overview with all the snake oil points is just questionable

Even if I was without a vpn on public wifi ppl can’t see what I’m doing since it’s encrypted anyways

[open junco]

Again, no one is asking Elsword to allow VPN. We are merely suggesting that they make the game playable with a VPN on your pc. Because you can run Elsword without the VPN, you can close it, stop its operation. However, just because it's "Present on your PC" the game doesn't run. I would agree if the game closes because the VPN is running. But when they force you to remove other programs for the sake of running a game, because their anti-cheat software is so invasive, then it's a good reason to even stop playing for most. So it affects the game player base, because most won't go through the trouble of getting rid of something they find useful or important over a game. Furthermore, the quick search in Google was to give a "General" outlook of what a VPN is. I also included other sources, and the information is not questionable at all. I've worked for 6 years as a Software Support Engineer with Microsoft. So I know what I'm talking about. VPN is not only good for enterprises, but it also offers high value for residential use when it comes to keeping your information safe on the web. However, as I said before. A lot of people know VPN as just a means of region lock bypass. But that's limiting the tool's purpose. Again, I appreciate the feedback, but I must start asking, please check the point that is being made. Too many people here are assuming that I posted this because I want Elsword to allow VPN to work with their game. What I'm asking for is that their Anti-cheat program isn't so invasive, and only takes action when and if a program starts interacting with Elsword's process. Again, thank you for your comments.

[mint wyvern]

I don’t think you read my point

[mint wyvern]

Wait I just realized

Software engineer at Microsoft

[mystic zenith]

screentear has been warned

Reason: Mass emoji

[mint wyvern]

😱😱😱

[mint wyvern]

^ 😱😱