Digital Hacking

Surfing

Whether you're connected through public Wi-Fi, a fiber line, or your own COMP, every system projects itself into the web. A security camera watches a hallway, but it also occupies a place within the cosmOS. Entire office buildings become virtual complexes, complete with its own ecosystem.

The practice of navigating digital spaces is known simply as Surfing.

Connecting to the internet will allow a device to traverse through Nodes, a word for any meaningful connection location. Others contain valuable data, Chips, hidden software, or strange magical phenomena born from exposure to cosmOS. Some Nodes may often begin to behave unnaturally in the physical world long before anyone realizes something is wrong.

Networks are a series of connected Nodes. Some Networks, mainly exists as crossroads between other networks, while others may maintain valuable data or conceal dangerous secrets.

A Terminal is a Node capable of projecting an entire cyberspace into the cosmOS. Logging into a Terminal does not grant access to files. It allows a user to enter a defined digital environment, complete with an architecture, environment and inhabitants. A mundane office computer may manifest as a fantasical realm in its alternate form.

Introduction to Hacking

In the real world, hacking is something often dramatically exaggerated. Often times, one thinks of rapid typing, frantic rapid alerts and high stakes. Real hacking is subtle silent, and takes a lot of legwork and patience.

Within Virus.Zone, there is going to be a mix of these things. Many high-tech corporations aware of the Veil may be actively using it to add that very spice into the system. Likewise, any Player will be able to robustly and swiftly race through a secure network with a few moments of grace. Each excursion into Cyber Space is meant to be a Cat and Mouse game, with each host potentially equipped attack any that try to access it.

Hacking means traveling from Node to Node with the added assistance of a COMP, and using it to rapidly search for information, bypassing securities, or operating any devices.

ICE

anti-virus, security systems, and even the direct actions of a physical user contribute to Intrusion Countermeasure Electronics or I.C.E.. While surfing ICE patrol Nodes in a local network, searching for anything that does not belong, and raising alarms much like white blood cells in a bloodstream.

ICE, as a manifestation of cosmOS ultimately, and usually only targets those with the know how to enter its systems with the COMP's abilities. Black ICE, more directly is any form of ICE which is powerful enough to kill the user, such as forcing them into a Terminal, physically shocking the hacker, or actively invading their mind.

Hacking Gameplay

Surfing cosmOS

The hacking process must begin with an initial connection. This can be done by scanning in wireless signal, plugging a wire into your COMP, or simply sitting down at a desktop computer. From there you can begin planning out a method of hacking to your target.

Heat

As soon as you use your COMP to begin tampering with a network, you will generate at least one point of Heat, which represents the attention you've drawn from a security system. Put simply, ICE doesn't like Heat. At low Heat, unusual activity is dismissed as transmission errors, maintenance traffic, or harmless glitches. Most automated defenses remain passive, allowing careful surfers to continue hacking unnoticed.

You gain one level of Heat for each turn you spend hacking into a system, and on each failed action. Each network typically deploys additional security measures at elevated Heat levels, usually ultimately leading to a full system shutdown and other security measures.

Firewalls

Many devices possess barriers preventing a Hacker from accessing them. Typically each firewall has a set height, meaning that when rolling to bypass them, the height of the roll must meet or exceed the firewall's height.

Actions

Two stats can be used to move from Node to Node while hacking, otherwise the Hacker is assumed to stay logged in and make no extra progress. These are Cyber and Stealth, and their actions are described below.

Ghosting Effect: Achieving any set on a Stealth roll prevents active ICE from tracking your position for that round.

Example Network Elements