Rockstar Games releases security patch for GTA Online to fix online exploits

Rockstar Games has officially released update 1.66 for Grand Theft Auto Online. This comes on the heels of reports that the game is suffering from an exploit preventing players from enjoying the game. The latest "security-focused" title update for GTA Online aims to make GTA Online more secure but it remains to be seen if this is enough to bring players back.
Here is the brief patch notes for the latest GTA Online update:

• Implemented a new data protocol in GTA Online to improve the security of network sessions and player-to-player messaging
• Fixed an issue that could result in a player's GTA Online experience being modified by a third party, including:
  • Altering GTA$ balance, RP level, Bad Sport status, and other player stats
• Manipulation of players being kicked or crashed
• General stability improvements

After scrolling through the comments on r/GTAonline, it's obvious fans are excited to come back to the game after staying away from it for the better part of the past week. However, players aren't convinced that the security patch has solved the issue. u/SlightOutside1 has dared other players to try playing GTA Online and report heir experience. Although multiple trolls replied to him, one user claims that GTA Online might be working fine.

With that said, Speyedr, the creator of the popular anti-cheat tool, Guardian, explains that Rockstar "changed some networking behaviour" and "messed with the netcode" to fix the problem.

Hopefully, Rockstar's latest update was enough to make GTA Online safe to play again so you and everyone else can get back to living the life of virtual crime you've always dreamed about.

Speaking of dreams, insiders claim that Rockstar is sitting on a nearly complete build of GTA 6 at the moment.