The DNS Cache: An Involuntary Forensic Log
Every time Windows connects to a website or app, the DNS Resolver caches the domain name and resolved IP. This cache persists across sessions and isn't cleared when you uninstall an application — it only ages out after each DNS record's TTL expires, which can be 24 hours or more. Run ipconfig /displaydns in any Command Prompt and you'll see the full list. For a player who ran a cheat client, that list is incriminating.
Known Cheat Client Domains Audit AC Checks
Audit AC runs ipconfig /displaydns on the player's machine and scans the output against a curated list of known cheat infrastructure. If any match, the found domains appear directly in your staff dashboard — even if the player deleted every trace of the client from their hard drive.
| Client | Example Domain Types |
|---|---|
| Vape | License server, update CDN |
| LiquidBounce | Auto-update API |
| Future Client | License check endpoint |
| Aristois | Cloud settings sync |
| Meteor Client | Plugin repository |
| + 15 others | Various cheat infrastructure |
Limitations and Context
DNS evidence is strong but not conclusive alone — a player could have visited a review article about a cheat client. Best practice: use DNS hits as supporting evidence alongside other signals. Look for multiple hits across different cheat domains — one hit might be coincidental; five across different clients is not. Combine with JVM injection results and mod hash analysis for a complete forensic picture.
Why This Matters for Competitive Servers
For servers running ranked game modes, the window between a ban-worthy offence and a screenshare can be hours. During that time, a suspected player can delete client files. DNS cache analysis closes that gap, providing forensic evidence that survives the delete-and-deny cycle that most cheaters rely on.