🛡️ CustomAC - Minecraft Server Anti-Cheat Plugin

Author: Zakariya Ali
University Project: BSc Computer Science Final Year Thesis
Thesis Title: Video Games Anti-Cheats and Cheaters in Minecraft
Date: May 2023
Supervisor: Tara Collingwoode-Williams

🎯 About This Project

CustomAC is a Java-based Anti-Cheat plugin developed for Spigot-based Minecraft servers. It was designed and tested as part of my final year university dissertation to detect and prevent unfair player behaviour (cheats such as fly hacks, speed hacks, X-ray, etc.) while maintaining an enjoyable and competitive multiplayer experience.

The project combines technical research, white-box/black-box testing, user surveys, and real-world implementation to evaluate its effectiveness compared to existing solutions like NoCheatPlus.

🔧 Features

• 🚨 Real-time cheat detection
• 📦 Easy installation on any Spigot Minecraft server
• 🔍 Logging and optional autoban functionality
• 🛠️ Configurable via config.yml
• 🧠 Modular check system (movement, combat, velocity, etc.)
• 🧪 Tested through custom scenarios and user trials

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🚀 Getting Started

✅ Prerequisites

• Java JDK 17+
• IntelliJ IDEA or any preferred Java IDE
• Spigot Server set up locally
• Minecraft client (same version as your server)

📦 Compilation Instructions

1. Clone this repository

   git clone https://github.com/covenlol/CustomAC.git
   cd CustomAC

2. Open in IntelliJ or your preferred IDE

3. Build the plugin JAR
   Make sure to use the correct SDK version (Java 17 or above). Then, build the .jar file using:

   • IntelliJ: Build > Build Artifacts > Build
   • Or using terminal: javac -d out src/**/*.java (if structured flatly)

4. Place the compiled JAR in your server's plugins/ directory

   cp out/CustomAC.jar /path/to/your/minecraft-server/plugins/

5. Start your Spigot server

   java -jar spigot-<version>.jar

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📝 Usage & Configuration

• Default checks are enabled out of the box.
• All detections and bans are logged in a JSON log file.
• Configuration options can be adjusted in plugins/CustomAC/config.yml
• Use in-game commands (via CommandManager.java) to toggle debug mode or manually control cheat logging.

Example:

/customac debug on
/customac unban <playername>

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📊 Testing & Results

As detailed in the thesis:

• ✅ White-box tests: Simulated various cheats (speed, fly, walk on water, no-fall) and verified detection.
• ✅ Black-box tests: 10 participants tested both CustomAC and NoCheatPlus; CustomAC detected more cheats.
• 🧪 User feedback: CustomAC is more effective, though slightly more intrusive due to false positives.

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📁 Structure

• CheckManager.java – Core detection logic
• CommandManager.java – Admin commands and toggles
• ConfigManager.java – Persistent settings
• BrandProcessor.java, CollisionProcessor.java, VelocityProcessor.java – Specific cheat detection modules

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⚖️ Legal & GDPR Compliance

CustomAC monitors player behaviour for the sole purpose of cheat detection. It does not collect personal data and complies with GDPR principles:

• Monitors only in-game actions
• Purpose-limited (cheat detection only)
• Clear disclosure to server admins

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📚 Thesis Reference

“Video Games Anti-Cheats and Cheaters in Minecraft”
Full text available on request or as a supplementary document in this repo.

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📄 License

This project is available for educational and non-commercial server use. Please do not redistribute compiled versions without permission.