How to get unbanned on Rust, Everything you need to know about Game bans

How to get unbanned on Rust, Everything you need to know about Game bans

November 4, 2024

By bigboy124

In Rust, cheaters may encounter various types of game bans, each with specific implications and issued by different authorities. This post clarifies the differences between bans applied by Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), those manually applied by Rust developers, and temporary bans from the Cerberus anti-cheat system.

So you got banned on Rust, What next?

Firstly we need to identify what ban you have recieved as Rust bans come in many forms.

  • Server ban - an admin has banned you from a server, usually comes with a ban message such as: "disconnected: Banned, cheating , perm - Appeal @examplerustserver.net"

  • Game ban - you have been banned by EAC and a HWID ban may have been applied this happens when your cheat is detected by EAC or a game developer has banned you, the accompanying message will be like so: "SteamAuth: GameBanned" or "SteamAuth: PublisherBanned"

  • Cerberus - Cerberus bans are applied when your cheat flags + gamplay is suspicious enough to ban you temporarily normally for 3-7 days, if a second cerb ban occurs it can be permenant.

Summary:

Type of BanIssuerDurationAppealableScope
Server banServer AdminPermanentRarelyBanned only from that server network
Game banRust Developers / EACPermanentRarelyPermenant ban, can also be HWID
Cerberus BanCerberusTemporaryNot generallyLimited to Rust, temporary warning

So how do I get unbanned?

Here is a quick summary of how to get unbanned including every different ban type and how to counter it:

Type of BanUnban method
Server banNew IP address (Residential VPN) + New account
Game banHWID Spoofer + New account
Cerberus BanNew account or wait-out ban

For those who want an in-depth read on the different type of bans and how they work you can read on here:

1. Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) Bans

Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) is an anti-cheat system integrated into Rust and many other games. It monitors players’ activities and automatically applies bans when cheating behavior is detected. Here are key aspects of EAC bans:

  • Automatic Detection: EAC uses algorithms to detect cheating software, invasively snooping around your pc, searching for methods or traces of where memory was allocated illegetimatley to Rust or game memory being tampered with externally, or other suspicious activities.
  • Permanent Ban: An EAC ban is typically permanent and applies to the game you are cheating on. i.e Rust
  • Not Appealable: Bans issued by EAC are rarely overturned, as they are based on automated detection. Players can contact EAC support, but appeals are seldom successful.

An EAC ban effectively restricts the player from joining EAC-protected servers across Rust, however you can still play Rust with a game ban on server not protected by EAC

2. Developer-Issued Bans

In some cases, the Rust developers may issue bans manually. These developer bans are distinct from EAC bans, as they are directly controlled by Rust’s team. Here’s what you need to know about developer-imposed bans:

  • Human-Initiated: Developer bans are issued by a Rust moderator or administrator, usually in response to player reports or other visible breaches of conduct.
  • Ban Scope: These bans apply only within Rust and prevent access to the game servers.
  • Appealable: Unlike EAC bans, players may have the opportunity to appeal a developer-imposed ban by contacting Rust’s support team.
  • Offical Only: Manual game developer bans are very rare to occur outside of Facepunch owned servers. However it has been known to happen in very specific cases, for example the owner of Rusty Moose is a Facepunch developer and they can apply permenant game bans on Rusty Moose.

Developer-issued bans may target specific behavior that doesn’t trigger EAC’s automated ban system, but Rust admins will normally check for cheat flags on EAC back end to be 100% sure you are cheating before issuing a ban.

3. Temporary Cerberus Bans

The Cerberus anti-cheat system is a newer, internal anti-cheat feature in Rust that targets potential cheats not covered by EAC. Cerberus bans differ from EAC and developer bans in these ways:

  • Temporary Ban Duration: Cerberus bans are generally temporary and often function as a warning or probation period for the player.
  • Behavioral Analysis: Cerberus might trigger a temporary ban for suspicious behavior that doesn’t warrant a permanent ban. This can be an opportunity for players to adjust their play style if they’re inadvertently triggering anti-cheat flags.
  • Internal to Rust: Cerberus bans are unique to Rust and do not affect the player’s access to other EAC-protected games.

Summary:

Type of BanIssuerDurationAppealableScope
EAC BanEasy Anti-CheatPermanentRarelyPotentially HWID ban from Rust
Developer-Issued BanRust DevelopersPermanentYesPermenant ban, can also be HWID
Cerberus BanCerberusTemporaryNot generallyLimited to Rust, temporary warning