But if it is true, it may be more sensible to make an API so software with specific permissions could access information needed to effectively function as antivirus, without being run in kernel mode.

I've come to this conclusion as well. I believe Apple has similar functionality with their "kernel-extensions", I believe it's called.

I completely forgot about AI Anti-Cheat, lol. But yes, this is another form of Ant-Cheat that seems to be very effective. (Although I don't much like the idea)

You have a point, but if Microsoft completely locks down the kernel, preventing any third party software/driver from running at the kernel-level, Anti-Cheat developers will have to find a new way to implement Anti-Cheat. This may open up the possibility of some newer form of Anti-Cheat being user-space; or at the very least NOT ring 0, which in-turn may open up the possibility of this new form of Anti-Cheat working underneath Linux.

Or maybe we're all still screwed because this new form of Anti-Cheat will perform on a basis that trusts that there is no third party access to the Windows kernel because of how restricted it is, therefore nullifying the need to be ring 0, but it still might not work under Linux due to the freedom/access users have to the kernel.

But then again, in order to implement any third party driver into the Windows kernel, it has to be signed and/or approved by Microsoft first (IIRC). But cheaters get around this through various means. So maybe nothing changes; but if Microsoft DOES restrict kerne-level access, this leads me to think that Anti-Cheat will have to change in some form or another, which may lead to it working on Linux.

TBH, The only way(s) I see Anti-Cheat moving forward at all, is:

• Hardware level Anti-Cheat (similar to a DMA card. Maybe it requires a certain type firmware that is universally used across all/most major video game companies)

• Some form of emulated environment. Maybe like a specific kernel that is used for each game.

Why do certain security software require access to the kernel? To keep malware from getting to the kernel or something?

Security software doesn't necessarily NEED access to the kernel, but kernel-level access provides the maximum amount of access and visibility to the rest of the system. The only thing higher then kernel-level is hardware-level.

In the case of CrowdStrike, kernel-level access provides their software to have the highest privileges which yields in the most effective defense against malware (in theory). However third-party, kernel-level access is never a good idea. Software that has kernel-level access can be, and has been, exploited before. In the case of CrowdStrike, it was a faulty update that screwed over Windows systems. The more access you have in a system, the more you screw it over when something fails.

Doesn’t restricting access to the kernel offer more security?

Yes! You are correct. If implemented correctly of course, restricted access to the kernel provides a higher amount of security.

Wouldn’t malware also be unable to access the kernel?

In theory, the more restricted the kernel is, the more difficult it is for malware to access the kernel.

Kernel is what connects software and hardware, correct?

Yes. A function of the kernel is providing a way for software and hardware to communicate with each other.

In the meantime you can use this. Feel free to ask if you need further help.

Edit: I found this guide. Hope it helps!

Excluding hardware (microcode, UEFI, etc); within my Linux system, the only proprietary software I have installed are Nvidia drivers and Steam (installed via flatpak). When I first made the switch to Linux, I was actually shocked at the minimal amount of proprietary software I actually used/needed.

I was initially going to post just the changelog itself, but included in the changelog are other older fixes before July 22nd. Even though the fixes present on July 22nd are bolded, I decided to use the blog post because it only highlights the fixes for July 22nd. I didn't think of this previously, but I could have just posted the changelog, and specifically noted the July 22nd fixes 😅

Dr. Robotnik's Ring Racers

https://www.gamingonlinux.com/ is a wealth of information, of which, I am not willing to let go, as it is a resource of current news that is very relevant to this "Linux Gaming" sub. So no; I will not stop linking https://www.gamingonlinux.com/ to this sub just because you got butt hurt.

RIP our wallets 😓

If you're only going to pick Pop!_OS or Manjaro, I'd suggest you go with Pop!_OS. The Manjaro team has been very weird, and made some poor decisions in recent years. I've had a very good experience messing around with Pop on an Nvidia GPU.