> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Turn On VAC (Secure Mode) on a CS 1.6 Server

> Turn on VAC on your CS 1.6 server: set SECURE / INSECURE to secure on Startup and restart. Also covers Map, PINGBOOST, Max Players, SYS_TICRATE and Auto update.

To turn on VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) on a FREAKHOSTING Counter-Strike 1.6 server, open **Startup**, type `secure` in **SECURE / INSECURE** and restart. New servers start with `insecure`, which adds `-insecure` to the start command, so the console shows `VAC secure mode disabled.` With `secure`, the server starts with `-secure` and players who are VAC-banned can't join it.

| Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel page |
| - | - | - | - |
| Beginner | 2 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING Counter-Strike 1.6 server | **Startup** |

## Startup variables for Counter-Strike 1.6

The **Startup** page shows the start command, for example:

```text theme={null}
./hlds_run -console -game [hidden] +ip 0.0.0.0 -port 27015 +maxplayers 32 +map de_dust2 -pingboost 3 +sys_ticrate 1200 -insecure +heapsize 512000 -zone 8192 -nobreakpad -master
```

| Variable | Default | Editable | What it does |
| - | - | - | - |
| **Map** | `de_dust2` | Yes | The map the server starts on (`+map`). Same as **Start map** in **Game settings**. |
| **PINGBOOST** | `3` | Yes, 1 to 3 | Picks the HLDS network code stack (`-pingboost`). |
| **SYS\_TICRATE** | `1200` | No | Server frame rate limit (`+sys_ticrate`). |
| **Max Players ( Slots )** | From your plan | No | Most players that can join (`+maxplayers`). |
| **SECURE / INSECURE** | `insecure` | Yes, text | `secure` turns VAC on; `insecure` turns it off. |
| **Auto update** | `0` | Yes, text | "Auto update on restart". |

Every change applies when the server next starts. See [startup variables](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md) for how the page works.

## How to turn on VAC

**1. Open Startup**

Open your server in the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and click **Startup**.

**2. Type secure**

In **SECURE / INSECURE**, replace `insecure` with `secure`. Type the word exactly, in lower case, with no `-` and no spaces. The field adds it to the start command as `-secure`.

**3. Check the start command**

The command at the top of the page now shows `-secure` instead of `-insecure`.

**4. Restart**

[Restart the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md). Then read the start-up lines in the [console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md): `VAC secure mode disabled.` belongs to insecure mode.

To turn VAC off again, type `insecure` and restart.

## What does VAC secure mode change?

| | `secure` (VAC on) | `insecure` (VAC off) |
| - | - | - |
| Start option | `-secure` | `-insecure` |
| VAC checks Steam players | Yes | No |
| VAC-banned players | Can't join | Can join |

Valve describes VAC like this: when a player joins a VAC-secured server, VAC "checks if any foreign processes are hooked into the player's local game binaries". Players caught are banned "from all VAC-secured servers", and a GoldSrc VAC ban covers all GoldSrc games. VAC doesn't replace admins; keep [AMX Mod X admins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/how-to-add-admins-to-your-cs-16-server.md) to deal with problem players.

## Other Startup variables

### Map

The map the server starts on. Change it here or with **Start map** in **Game settings**. See [change the map](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/how-to-change-your-cs-16-server-map.md).

### PINGBOOST

Valve's description: "Selects between optimized HLDS network code stack." Use `1`, `2` or `3`; the default is `3`. See [sys\_ticrate and rates](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/configuring-servercfg-rates-1000-fps.md).

### SYS\_TICRATE and Max Players

Both are read-only. **SYS\_TICRATE** is fixed at 1200. **Max Players ( Slots )** comes from your plan. [Open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) if you need a different number of slots.

### Auto update

The panel describes it as "Auto update on restart", and the default is `0`. Your server runs a modified engine (ReHLDS) with preinstalled add-ons, so [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) and ask before you change this value.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why does my CS 1.6 console say "VAC secure mode disabled"?

**SECURE / INSECURE** is set to `insecure`, the default. Type `secure` and restart to turn VAC on.

### Can VAC-banned players join my server?

Yes while the server is `insecure`. With `secure`, Valve blocks VAC-banned accounts from joining.

### Can non-Steam players still join a secure server?

Reunion is what lets non-Steam clients join. Test with a non-Steam client after you switch to `secure`; if they can't join and you need them, go back to `insecure`.

### What happens if I type something else in SECURE / INSECURE?

Use only `secure` or `insecure`. The value goes straight into the start command, so other text can stop the server starting correctly.

## Related guides

> **[CS 1.6 server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/counter-strike-16-server-hosting-guide.md)**
>
> Every Counter-Strike 1.6 page in one place.

> **[sys\_ticrate and rates](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/configuring-servercfg-rates-1000-fps.md)**
>
> Tick rate and pingboost.

> **[Can't connect](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/cs-16-cant-connect-to-server.md)**
>
> VAC and joining problems.

> **[Reunion and ReHLDS](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/installing-reunion-and-rehlds.md)**
>
> Non-Steam players and the engine.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 30 October 2026 (Counter-Strike 1.6 on ReHLDS 3.14). VAC details checked against the [Valve Developer Community VAC page](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/VAC) and [command line options](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Command_Line_Options) on 30 October 2026.

> [!NOTE]
>
> ### Need Extra Help?
>
> If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:
>
> * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
> * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
> * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
> * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** October 2026


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