Sep 27, 2021 4:12 pm
Hacking
Be sure to read and follow the guidelines for our forums.
Sep 27, 2021 4:12 pm
Hacking
Almost everything in the world is run by computers of varying sizes (from something small enough to be implanted, to room-sized server racks), all networked together for ease of use and access. That said, security can be serious. Encryption, ICE (complex programs defending the network), and jacked-in counter-hackers all patrol the grids. Most systems are cut-off from the Net, but most devices have ports you can physically jack into for updates... and in the case of Hackers, for exploiting them and bypassing the strongest security at the Net-based connections.
ICE
ICE (intrusion countermeasures electronics) are complex programs that fight off intruders. Hackers group them into colors. White ICE (common code gates) mostly just raises alarms. Red ICE deals with intruders (tracking, tracing). Black ICE is rare, but is designed to kill hackers.
Almost everything in the world is run by computers of varying sizes (from something small enough to be implanted, to room-sized server racks), all networked together for ease of use and access. That said, security can be serious. Encryption, ICE (complex programs defending the network), and jacked-in counter-hackers all patrol the grids. Most systems are cut-off from the Net, but most devices have ports you can physically jack into for updates... and in the case of Hackers, for exploiting them and bypassing the strongest security at the Net-based connections.
ICE
ICE (intrusion countermeasures electronics) are complex programs that fight off intruders. Hackers group them into colors. White ICE (common code gates) mostly just raises alarms. Red ICE deals with intruders (tracking, tracing). Black ICE is rare, but is designed to kill hackers.
Sep 27, 2021 4:13 pm
Jacking-In
H:> HACKˍSTART.exe
To hack, one needs access to systems. This is usually done via a Jack, which gives hackers a place to run their hyper-complex hacking programs, and also helps project the appropriate interfaces into their vision and respond to their subvocalized commands faster than typing could keep up.
• When you jack-in, tell the GM what programs you have slotted and roll your your Jack grade in d6 to set your rez.
A Jack (see Cyberware) has program slots equal to twice its grade. So a street grade (+1) Jack has only 2 program slots. Programs (equipment, see the next page) are bought separately for ¥€$. You can slot a program up to 3 times ---these affect rolls in the Net.
Rez (a slang term for resolution, how strong your presence is in the Net) is your hp in the Net ---get to 0 and you're forcefully jacked-out. You start with rez equal to your Jack grade in d6.
H:> HACKˍSTART.exe
To hack, one needs access to systems. This is usually done via a Jack, which gives hackers a place to run their hyper-complex hacking programs, and also helps project the appropriate interfaces into their vision and respond to their subvocalized commands faster than typing could keep up.
• When you jack-in, tell the GM what programs you have slotted and roll your your Jack grade in d6 to set your rez.
A Jack (see Cyberware) has program slots equal to twice its grade. So a street grade (+1) Jack has only 2 program slots. Programs (equipment, see the next page) are bought separately for ¥€$. You can slot a program up to 3 times ---these affect rolls in the Net.
Rez (a slang term for resolution, how strong your presence is in the Net) is your hp in the Net ---get to 0 and you're forcefully jacked-out. You start with rez equal to your Jack grade in d6.
Sep 27, 2021 4:13 pm
How to Hack
H:> RUNˍHACK.exe
The Net is divided into Nodes. A single Node is usually a server of some sort that controls a few subsystems.
An example network of common nodes might include:
• Data Node. Might hold all the data for the research department. Connects to the terminals in the cubicles.
• Systems Node. The server that controls all the doors and elevators for a section of a building. The system usually has only basic commands (open, close), which are logged. An Operate program can let you do some funky tricks (ex: speed up elevators).
• Admin Node. Contains usernames and passwords. Controls employee logins and IDs.
• Security Node. Usually stands between less and more secure branches. Often where SysOps load into.
Once you're on a node you can always ask the GM what other nodes are connected to it.
• When you try to access a node (connect and transfer to it virtually), roll + your slotted Stealth programs.
When you first connect to a system, the GM will create an Alert clock to reflect how close the system is to flagging intrusion and alerting security. When the system is in low alert, common complications might be taking more time than anticipated, or raising the alert level. Once the system is in full alert, expect nodes to be completely cut off, as well as SysOps (counter-hackers who eliminate and repair intrusions) and additional ICE to load in.
Nodes often have watchdog ICE, and regular users logged in (such as day laborers).
Using Attack programs to de-rez ice will scramble its memory, while corp hackers may take a while to re-load back into the system (and their systems may be fried).
Data is stored in memory using Download programs. Getting de-rezzed will burn any data you're carrying. Taking rez damage can lose some.
You might get traced. Each Trace consequence lands 1 trace on your system. Get more than your Jack grade and the system knows your physical location.
If you spike back-doors open when you have access to a Node, you can always log back into it directly as long as you can jack-in to the network.
H:> RUNˍHACK.exe
The Net is divided into Nodes. A single Node is usually a server of some sort that controls a few subsystems.
An example network of common nodes might include:
• Data Node. Might hold all the data for the research department. Connects to the terminals in the cubicles.
• Systems Node. The server that controls all the doors and elevators for a section of a building. The system usually has only basic commands (open, close), which are logged. An Operate program can let you do some funky tricks (ex: speed up elevators).
• Admin Node. Contains usernames and passwords. Controls employee logins and IDs.
• Security Node. Usually stands between less and more secure branches. Often where SysOps load into.
Once you're on a node you can always ask the GM what other nodes are connected to it.
• When you try to access a node (connect and transfer to it virtually), roll + your slotted Stealth programs.
When you first connect to a system, the GM will create an Alert clock to reflect how close the system is to flagging intrusion and alerting security. When the system is in low alert, common complications might be taking more time than anticipated, or raising the alert level. Once the system is in full alert, expect nodes to be completely cut off, as well as SysOps (counter-hackers who eliminate and repair intrusions) and additional ICE to load in.
Nodes often have watchdog ICE, and regular users logged in (such as day laborers).
Using Attack programs to de-rez ice will scramble its memory, while corp hackers may take a while to re-load back into the system (and their systems may be fried).
Data is stored in memory using Download programs. Getting de-rezzed will burn any data you're carrying. Taking rez damage can lose some.
You might get traced. Each Trace consequence lands 1 trace on your system. Get more than your Jack grade and the system knows your physical location.
If you spike back-doors open when you have access to a Node, you can always log back into it directly as long as you can jack-in to the network.
Sep 27, 2021 4:14 pm
Jacking-Out
Usually you can jack-out and sever your connection ---no problem. You can disconnect from a system and be done. Some ICE and counter hackers can spike, however. If you're spiked, you have to hard-out ---physically sever the link. Getting to 0 rez (or lower) forces a disconnect called a de-rez. Treat this as a hard-out.
When you hard-out take d6 damage, minus 1 for every program slot you burn until it can be repaired. Fixing a Jack is complex. Even jacks with ejectable boards take more time than is available on most missions to repair.
Usually you can jack-out and sever your connection ---no problem. You can disconnect from a system and be done. Some ICE and counter hackers can spike, however. If you're spiked, you have to hard-out ---physically sever the link. Getting to 0 rez (or lower) forces a disconnect called a de-rez. Treat this as a hard-out.
When you hard-out take d6 damage, minus 1 for every program slot you burn until it can be repaired. Fixing a Jack is complex. Even jacks with ejectable boards take more time than is available on most missions to repair.
Sep 27, 2021 4:14 pm
Programs
A Hacker is only as good as their programs. Each program runs 100 ¥€$ unless otherwise specified. You can slot a type of program a max of 3 times. Note: Anything with a * is a slap on the wrist illegal. The Law can and will hassle you and check. Anything marked ** is get dragged off to lockup illegal to have (much less run).
• Attack *: Each slot gives you a grade to attack programs, firewalls, and ICE, and also adds +1 rez damage on a hit.
• Armor: Each slot reduces rez damage by 1 when you're hit while jacked in.
• CrackerJack **: Adds grades to jack-out quickly. Gives 1 armor per slot against hard-out damage.
• Decrypt: Allows you to break system and file encryption. Slots add grades when you need to roll to do so quickly.
• Download: Sets up data storage on your Jack. In the case of truly immense data stores, you may need additional slots. Adds grades when you're trying to download files quickly.
• Ghost *: Adds +1 per slot to Trace cap.
• ICEbreaker **: Does an extra 1d6 rez damage per slot against a specific type of ICE [code gate] [guardian] [black]. You have to buy multiple copies of the program to account for each ICE type.
• Operate: It lets you interface with machines and run their pre-built in commands. Good for cameras, elevators, doors, and even basic vehicle piloting. Extra slots let you control additional drones and machines at a time (one per).
• Stealth *: Each slot gives you a grade to jump from Node to Node or do something without raising an alarm. Hacker bread and butter program.
• Spike **: Each slot gives a grade to create a back door. Back doors allow you to log into that node without having to traverse back to it.
• Trace: Each slot gives you a grade when trying to find the physical location of something connected to the same Node as you. Mostly useful for tracing the body location of a counter-hacker, but can be handy for finding where a specific door is in a building. Jacking-out clears all Trace.
Because Hackers will ask: yes, you can buy AI/ICE. They're bought with grades (not ¥€$). Like drones they focus on their programming to the exclusion of all else (one command per grade).
• ICE: Runs on your Jack's home node. Used to defend from nosy counter-hackers. ICE Drives: [to defend] [to alert] [to rip apart intruders]
• AI **: An AI is not self aware like in the stories, but a learning program that can continue hacking while you're in meatspace, It's not subtle and raises alerts quickly. AI Drives: [to crack] [to attack] [to watch and alert]
A Hacker is only as good as their programs. Each program runs 100 ¥€$ unless otherwise specified. You can slot a type of program a max of 3 times. Note: Anything with a * is a slap on the wrist illegal. The Law can and will hassle you and check. Anything marked ** is get dragged off to lockup illegal to have (much less run).
• Attack *: Each slot gives you a grade to attack programs, firewalls, and ICE, and also adds +1 rez damage on a hit.
• Armor: Each slot reduces rez damage by 1 when you're hit while jacked in.
• CrackerJack **: Adds grades to jack-out quickly. Gives 1 armor per slot against hard-out damage.
• Decrypt: Allows you to break system and file encryption. Slots add grades when you need to roll to do so quickly.
• Download: Sets up data storage on your Jack. In the case of truly immense data stores, you may need additional slots. Adds grades when you're trying to download files quickly.
• Ghost *: Adds +1 per slot to Trace cap.
• ICEbreaker **: Does an extra 1d6 rez damage per slot against a specific type of ICE [code gate] [guardian] [black]. You have to buy multiple copies of the program to account for each ICE type.
• Operate: It lets you interface with machines and run their pre-built in commands. Good for cameras, elevators, doors, and even basic vehicle piloting. Extra slots let you control additional drones and machines at a time (one per).
• Stealth *: Each slot gives you a grade to jump from Node to Node or do something without raising an alarm. Hacker bread and butter program.
• Spike **: Each slot gives a grade to create a back door. Back doors allow you to log into that node without having to traverse back to it.
• Trace: Each slot gives you a grade when trying to find the physical location of something connected to the same Node as you. Mostly useful for tracing the body location of a counter-hacker, but can be handy for finding where a specific door is in a building. Jacking-out clears all Trace.
Because Hackers will ask: yes, you can buy AI/ICE. They're bought with grades (not ¥€$). Like drones they focus on their programming to the exclusion of all else (one command per grade).
• ICE: Runs on your Jack's home node. Used to defend from nosy counter-hackers. ICE Drives: [to defend] [to alert] [to rip apart intruders]
• AI **: An AI is not self aware like in the stories, but a learning program that can continue hacking while you're in meatspace, It's not subtle and raises alerts quickly. AI Drives: [to crack] [to attack] [to watch and alert]