Rockstar has released GTA 5 update 1.66 on PC in the wake of recent concerns around GTA Online hacks and extreme exploits, which have left many players reluctant to log onto one of the most popular multiplayer games on PC. The “security-focused” title update includes changes aimed at improving the security of sessions and messaging, as well as addressing the ability for third-party hackers to modify your game and ban you from playing.
The GTA 5 update 1.66 patch notes are brief, with just a quick overview of the new security features that have been implemented along with “general stability improvements.” The security update is the central focus, however. There were concerns among players, including the creator of a popular GTA Online anti-cheat tool, that the security vulnerabilities might extend to allowing hackers remote access to your PC beyond the game.
Rockstar says in its latest update that the February 1 patch has “Implemented a new data protocol in GTA Online to improve the security of network sessions and player-to-player messaging.” It has also “Fixed an issue that could result in a player’s GTA Online experience being modified by a third party.”
The anti-cheat tool’s creator, Speyedr, notes on Twitter, “Looks like Rockstar have changed some networking behaviour, certainly due to fixing the remote crash exploits.” They say this means that older versions of their tool will not work unless you’re in a solo session, but that the latest release should be available tomorrow. Speyedr adds, “Rockstar don’t usually mess with netcode, but this time it makes sense.”
Hopefully this means you should once again be safe to hop online and get back to your life of virtual crime, though we’d naturally urge exercising some caution out of the gate to make sure that things are looking good before you jump back in.
Once you’re back in business, maybe it’s time to check out the world of GTA roleplaying? We’ve got the best GTA RP servers and how to join them if you’ve ever wondered where to start. There’s also all the GTA 5 cheats (those included in the game by Rockstar, that is) and the best GTA 5 mods to enjoy the single-player mode while we wait for the GTA 6 release date to be revealed.