Description
By integrating hacking tools directly into your datajack, you can manipulate a network and the devices connected to it. Hacking tools include an upgrade to your datajack's processing power and a set of hacking applications and programs. See the hacking tools augment in Chapter 3 for information on installing hacking tools.
Attempting to hack without having the hacking tools augment is possible, but more difficult, at your DM's discretion.
Attempting to Hack
Hacking a machine or network requires hacking tools, proficiency with hacking tools, and a connection to the target machine or network through a port. The player describes their goal, the DM decides if that goal is reasonable, then the hacker makes an ability check with their hacking tools.
This is a normal ability check, with consequences depending on whether the check is a failure or a success. As with all ability checks, the difficulty and length of the action depends on the situation and the target you're trying to hack. The Typical Hacking DCs table shows a few examples of targets and the DCs you might set for the task.
| Target | DC |
|---|---|
Cheap vending machine, generic appliances | 5 |
Cheap residence, cheap car, commercial hologram | 10 |
Low priority corporate security, average residence, average car | 15 |
Medium priority corporate security, nice residence, nice car | 20 |
High priority corporate security, military equipment, wealthy residence | 25 |
Top secret vault, financial institution | 30 |
Hacking Failure
When a hacking check results in a failure, the DM decides the consequences. A failure on the check does not necessarily mean the hacking failed entirely; the goal may have been achieved with simultaneous consequences. The following are some examples of consequences that a DM may use:
The hacker experiences dumpshock.
The hacker is locked out of the system.
An alarm is triggered.
The hacker leaves traces in the system that allows investigators to track them down.
Data is muddled, corrupted, or destroyed.
A virus attempts to infect the hacker.
The target machine breaks.
The task takes longer than anticipated.
Wireless Hacking
Using the wireless capabilities from hacking tools, you can connect to a wireless port from anywhere in a machine's wireless range. It is possible to set up a rogue wireless access port by installing a wireless transceiver in a physical port.
ICE
Intrusion Countermeasures Electronics (ICE) is a type of security program which protects machines, networks, and data. There are many different types of ICE, and their presence sets the defensive tone and posture.
They may have any appearance in the VR simulation, often designed to look like they belong in the environment. For example, they may appear as castle guards in a medieval themed simulation, or bouncers in a nightclub.
Describing Hacking
Hacking is played out in VR in scenes defined by the target they are connected to, with hacking activities abstracted to fit the VR situation. Faking login credentials to get access to a server might look like smooth talking past a guard to get into a vast library. Stealing a file might be described as stealing a goose from a cloud giant's castle.
The target's configuration settings normally limit the actions and imagery a user is allowed to use, but the hacker can break such rules with a successful hacking attempt.