Short answer
WARDOGS does not currently require Secure Boot or a TPM to play online, and Linux is not officially supported. BULKHEAD's Security & Enforcement policy, last updated on September 7, 2026, says the Secure Boot or TPM requirement may be introduced if it becomes necessary, and that players will be told before it takes effect.
Secure Boot and TPM
The official policy says some anti-cheat protections depend on your system configuration. If BULKHEAD decides to require Secure Boot or TPM, it will announce the change first, and the game will tell you what needs to change on your device. You may see forum posts claiming that some players are already forced to enable Secure Boot. That does not match the current official policy text, so we do not treat it as confirmed.
Linux, Proton and Steam Deck
In a pinned developer post from early September 2026, BULKHEAD said it does not officially support Linux and cannot commit to Linux support for the Early Access launch. The team is still working on official Proton compatibility. Earlier tests that worked on Linux did so by chance. A follow-up added on September 25, 2026 says there is still no timeline, and that BULKHEAD will announce Linux support only once compatibility is confirmed. The Steam store lists Windows only. Steam Deck runs Windows games through Proton, so the same unofficial status applies.
Minimum PC requirements
| Part | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 11 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3500 | Intel Core i7 12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5700X |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| GPU | Nvidia GTX 1660 or Radeon RX 590 | Nvidia RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT |
| Storage | 50 GB | 50 GB |
How the anti-cheat works
The policy describes client-side and server-side detection, monitoring of applications running during gameplay, analysis of input and gameplay patterns, and checks that the game and hardware have not been tampered with. Player reports from the in-game report feature also guide enforcement. When a ban comes from behavioural detection, a team member reviews the evidence before it is applied.
Penalties
| Penalty | What it means | Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Server restriction | Barred from one server for a period | No |
| Temporary suspension | No online play for a period | No |
| Permanent account ban | Account loses online access permanently | Yes, via appeal@bulkhead.com |
| Hardware ban | The device is barred from online play | No, unless lifted with an overturned permanent ban |
On September 30, 2026, the Update 0.1.2 announcement added that cash and XP exploits and real money trading now carry the risk of a permanent ban without warning, and that players caught earlier have had their cash and progression reset. The official enforcement policy was last updated on September 7, 2026.
Community server admins can also ban players from their own servers. Those bans are separate from BULKHEAD's enforcement.
Sources & verification
- Official Security & Enforcement policy (updated 2026-09-07) Checked 2026-10-01
- Developer post: Linux Compatibility (pinned, updated 2026-09-25) Checked 2026-10-01
- Steam announcement: Update 0.1.2 (Minor Patch), September 30, 2026 Checked 2026-10-01
- Steam store: WARDOGS Checked 2026-09-14