Arcade games, particularly classic cabinets, represent significant investments for collectors and operators. Preventing software exploits is crucial for maintaining both the financial value and gameplay integrity of these systems. The most common protection methods involve both hardware and software approaches.

Hardware security remains fundamental. Many arcade PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) incorporate physical security measures such as custom chips or proprietary connectors that are difficult to replicate. Security dip switches were commonly implemented on boards to detect cabinet tampering. Some systems used epoxy-encapsulated modules to prevent reverse engineering of critical components.

Software protection frequently involved checksum verification and ROM hashing. Developers would program the game to perform cyclic redundancy checks (CRC) on ROM contents during boot-up. If the checksum didn't match expected values, the game would halt or display error messages, preventing modified code from executing.

Anti-tampering techniques included code obfuscation and encryption. Some games stored critical game logic in encrypted form, only decrypting portions during execution to prevent memory dumping exploits. Others employed self-modifying code that made static analysis difficult.

For modern arcade systems and preservation efforts, additional methods include secure boot processes that verify digital signatures before loading operating systems. Network-connected cabinets implement firewall protections and regular security updates to prevent remote exploitation.

Physical security measures complement technical solutions. Locking cabinets, tamper-evident seals, and security cameras deter physical access attempts. Regular maintenance and monitoring help operators detect potential exploit attempts before they cause significant damage to either the software or hardware components of these valuable gaming systems.