Hacking the steam client

NSObject · 07-27-2012, 11:32 AM

I was thinking about making an addon that would inject itself into the Steam client (Mac) and hook into the notifications to relay them to Growl, so Growl can receive the notifications. I was wondering if this would trigger a VAC ban, even if it's not affecting the actual game.

restlessgamer75 · 07-27-2012, 01:47 PM

the best thing you can do is ask support about this

GDL · 07-27-2012, 01:58 PM

Changing the client in any way is a breach of the SSA and could get your account banned.

andy rofl · 07-27-2012, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by restlessgamer75

the best thing you can do is ask support about this

Support would either give a cryptic answer or say you'll be banned.

I'd wager that modifications to the client are a violaton of the TOS. Do so at your own risk.

masterchef341 · 07-27-2012, 02:12 PM

It wouldn't trigger a VAC ban. VAC bans are only given for running known cheats in VAC protected servers. If anything, this could cause an account ban.

henk717 · 07-27-2012, 03:37 PM

I am kinda wondering the same thing.
I have resently be using tools that are using opensteamworks to do things steam normally can't do.
Now to be entirely save i always shut down these tools and restart steam before i play games.
But is it save to have opensteamworks tools running at the same time you have a vac enabled game running?

CTRL ALT DEL ! · 07-27-2012, 06:22 PM

You can hook into the client as long as you don't modify it.

There are a few programs that do this.

andy rofl · 07-27-2012, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTRL ALT DEL !

You can hook into the client as long as you don't modify it.

Is this official word from valve or an unwritten rule like the FOV changer on MW3?

Mangr0v3 · 07-28-2012, 07:09 PM

Changing by hooking might get you banned, but adding Growl support using the Steamworks APIs won't get you a VAC ban. I know the latter because I've done it along with Fuzz Bucket, and neither of us are VAC-banned over two years later.

CTRL ALT DEL ! · 07-28-2012, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy rofl

Is this official word from valve or an unwritten rule like the FOV changer on MW3?

I will get confirmation before you should proceed, but I believe that Old Fart when he made GameNanny was told you could hook into the steam client without problems, but you can't edit the steam client at all.

Mangr0v3 · 07-29-2012, 12:07 AM

I don't think GameNanny hooks the client

Slyke · 07-29-2012, 12:53 AM

Yes, hooking the client itself if fine. You shouldn't hook any spawned processes (Such as games) though.

SiPlus.c · 07-29-2012, 01:02 AM

Hooking is fine as long as you don't hook to play/give games you don't own or to cheat.

CTRL ALT DEL ! · 07-29-2012, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mangr0v3

I don't think GameNanny hooks the client

The alpha did and I used it, no bans here.

dada · 08-02-2012, 02:58 PM

go to steam support

07-27-2012, 11:32 AM	#1
NSObject Join Date: Jul 2012 Reputation: 0 Posts: 1	Hacking the steam client I was thinking about making an addon that would inject itself into the Steam client (Mac) and hook into the notifications to relay them to Growl, so Growl can receive the notifications. I was wondering if this would trigger a VAC ban, even if it's not affecting the actual game.

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07-27-2012, 01:47 PM	#2
restlessgamer75 Banned Join Date: Apr 2011 Reputation: 209 Posts: 1,022	the best thing you can do is ask support about this

07-27-2012, 01:58 PM	#3
GDL Join Date: Mar 2012 Reputation: 1038 Posts: 2,248	Changing the client in any way is a breach of the SSA and could get your account banned.

07-27-2012, 02:12 PM	#5
masterchef341 Join Date: Dec 2008 Reputation: 717 Posts: 1,200	It wouldn't trigger a VAC ban. VAC bans are only given for running known cheats in VAC protected servers. If anything, this could cause an account ban.

07-27-2012, 03:37 PM	#6
henk717 Join Date: Feb 2009 Reputation: 65 Posts: 299	I am kinda wondering the same thing. I have resently be using tools that are using opensteamworks to do things steam normally can't do. Now to be entirely save i always shut down these tools and restart steam before i play games. But is it save to have opensteamworks tools running at the same time you have a vac enabled game running?

07-27-2012, 06:22 PM	#7
CTRL ALT DEL ! Join Date: Jan 2011 Reputation: 2431 Posts: 3,411	You can hook into the client as long as you don't modify it. There are a few programs that do this.

07-28-2012, 07:09 PM	#9
Mangr0v3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Reputation: 4297 Posts: 13,599	Changing by hooking might get you banned, but adding Growl support using the Steamworks APIs won't get you a VAC ban. I know the latter because I've done it along with Fuzz Bucket, and neither of us are VAC-banned over two years later.

07-29-2012, 12:07 AM	#11
Mangr0v3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Reputation: 4297 Posts: 13,599	I don't think GameNanny hooks the client

07-29-2012, 12:53 AM	#12
Slyke Join Date: Sep 2008 Reputation: 137 Posts: 1,141	Yes, hooking the client itself if fine. You shouldn't hook any spawned processes (Such as games) though.

07-29-2012, 01:02 AM	#13
SiPlus.c Join Date: May 2009 Reputation: 247 Posts: 1,402	Hooking is fine as long as you don't hook to play/give games you don't own or to cheat.

08-02-2012, 02:58 PM	#15
dada Banned Join Date: Jul 2012 Reputation: 3 Posts: 12	go to steam support