What is a Cracked Server? Everything You Need to Know.

A cracked server allows players with unofficial or non-paid Minecraft accounts to join by disabling Mojang's online authentication (online-mode=false). While this might sound like a way to let friends play for free, it opens the door to serious security issues, griefing, and cheating.

What Is a Cracked Server?

When you run a legitimate Minecraft server, the online-mode setting (which is located in the server.properties file) is set to true by default. This means every player who tries to join must authenticate with Mojang's servers, proving they own a valid Minecraft account.

A cracked server disables this check by setting online-mode=false. Without authentication, anyone can join using any username, even yours. They don't need to own Minecraft, and your server has no way of verifying who they actually are.

Why Do People Run Cracked Servers?

The main reason is accessibility. Some server owners want to let friends or community members join without requiring them to purchase Minecraft. Others use offline mode for specific technical setups, like Bungeecord networks where child servers need online-mode=false to work properly.

However, running a public cracked server to support pirated clients is a different story, and comes with major downsides.

The Risks of Running a Cracked Server

Username Spoofing & Impersonation

Since there's no authentication, anyone can type in any username and join. That means someone could pretend to be you, an admin, or a trusted player, and gain access to their permissions, items, and locations. Whitelists become useless because they only check usernames, not actual identities.

Increased Griefing & Cheating

Without account verification, troublemakers can easily rejoin under new names after being banned. This makes moderation a nightmare and creates a toxic environment for legitimate players.

Security Vulnerabilities

Cracked servers disable one of Minecraft's core security features. Combined with potential malware risks from unofficial clients and server software, this can compromise your entire system.

No Skins or Official Features

Players on cracked servers won't have their profile skins, everyone appears as the default Steve or Alex. You can use plugins like SkinsRestorer to fix this, but it's an extra hassle.

Can You Secure a Cracked Server?

If you absolutely must run a server in offline mode (for example, for a Bungeecord network), there are plugins that add authentication back in, like:

• AuthMeReloaded, which requires players to register and log in with passwords, preventing username spoofing.
• IPWhitelist, which only allows connections from specific IPs (e.g., the bungeecord server's IP).

The Bottom Line

Minecraft is a one-time purchase, and running a legitimate server is safer, more stable, and respects the game's creators. Cracked servers might seem like an easy shortcut, but the security risks, community reputation damage, and potential legal trouble aren't worth it.