 Defending Your Commlink, What is sane? |
  |
 Mar 19 2006, 08:48 AM
Post
#1
|
|
|
Moving Target  Group: Members Posts: 801 Joined: 13-March 06 Member No.: 8,374  |
I have been pouring over the rulebook any trying to figure out what exatly is sufficient defense for the comlink of your average shadowrunner. What Firewall? How many IC of what Pilot Rating? Of course what the shadowrunner specializes in will effect how high the security needs to be, a hacker needing more then a street samuri. What defenses would you give for the following? Be creative.
Hacker? Fixer? Rigger? Black Op specialist? Smuggler? Street Samuri? Of pactular intest to me is the fixer since I am thinking of making one. Thanks |
 |
 
|
|
Mar 19 2006, 03:47 PM
Post
#2
|
|
|
Cybernetic Blood Mage Group: Members Posts: 3,472 Joined: 11-March 06 From: Northeastern Wyoming Member No.: 8,361 |
Well, personally I think the following should be "bare-bones" on any Shadowrunner's Commlink. ('x' equals whatever your Commlink's Response is.)
*System (Rx) *Firewall (R6) (It's my understanding that Firewall isn't limited by your System/Response, although since I tend to play Mages and not Deckers, I could easily be mistaken.) *Analyze (Rx) -Set to run all the time- *Encrypt (Rx) -On everything, no matter how imporant or Trival- *Spoof (Rx) -Set to change Comm ID on a semi-random bases- Although my character doesn't have all the 'bare-bones' yet, what he is planing on adding the following to his Commlink once he has the creds via our resident Decker is the following; (Luckly she already has most of the following and I'm sure she'll be able to crack the Copy Protection in exchange for a few Wards and other "Spell" Favors on my part.) *Agent (Rx) *Armor (Rx) -For the Agent- *Attack (Rx) -For the Agent- *Data Bomb (Rx) -On everything even remotely important- *Medic (Rx) -For the Agent- *Stealth (Rx) -On whenever I'm 'on the clock'- -For the Agent IF using it won't degrade its Response- Still, for those who are more versed with the Matrix rules then I am, are there any gaping holes that I'm missing? {Edits} Fixed several rather stupid typos. Also, just to note, this is for a Character who is a Combat Mage, and he'll be trying to convince our Combat Monster/Adept/Biovat Job to take the same defenses, although since I don't trust him (The Character, not the Player.) I may have to do a few more favors for our Decker and have her install a Backdoor 'Just in Case'. And yes, I'm well aware that the Decker may do the same to my Commlink as well, but I'm not stupid enough to trust her with the security on any device that I may put anything that involves crossing her on anyways. -Not that I'm actually considering crossing ANY of my Teamates as its bad for the Rep, but I like to be 'ready' in case they try to Cross me. (Although even if they were untrustworthy I think I've gotten them afraid enough of Magic that they wouldn't anyways, but I might be wrong.) |
|
|
|
|
Mar 19 2006, 03:53 PM
Post
#3
|
|||
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 671 Joined: 9-March 06 Member No.: 8,353 |
Some things I will say on wireless security... 1. Skinlink is your friend, as you only have to secure your comlink, and not everything else attached to it, I would go with a physical wire link so if the drek hits the fan you can pull the plug. 2. If you are not a decker firewall and IC are more important as you are less likely to notice if some hacker is messing about with your box. The comedy value of turning all a street sam's wired grenades to a .01 second fuse, reversing their IFF software, and fusing the safety on their ares predator without them noticing is high. 3. I strongly suggest that regardless of the advantages allowing any connection between your weaponry and the matrix is a bad plan, see example above. Similarly show caution when letting cyberware inteact with the matrix. 4. Anything you carry that is capable of producing a signal, or recording an image or sound should have a manual power switch that cannot be electronically overridden. |
||
|
|
|
||
|
Mar 19 2006, 09:55 PM
Post
#4
|
|
|
Grand Master of Run-Fu Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 6,840 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Tir Tairngire Member No.: 178 |
I happen to agree with Ankle Biter. Whenever possible, shut off the wireless connections on your gear, and rely on skinlinks. Beyond that, you should always get a rating 6 Firewall to defend your gear. IC is nice, but you're better off with an Agent-- not only can you have a copy defending your commlink, you can send copies off to do other tasks, like Data Searches. Also, if you're not a dedicated deker in the first place, the agent will do just as well as you can on any Matrix task-- it's Pilot of 4 is equal to the most non-deckers are likely to take in the Computer skill or groups.
If you absolutely must have a live wireless connection, I'd suggest going the multi-commlink route. All your gear is hooked to a shadow node, which runs exclusively on skinlinks. The active one will be packing all your matrix toys, or fake ID if you're not a decker. You can make it so they're not connected to each other in the slightest, so you're always protected. |
|
|
|
|
Mar 19 2006, 11:15 PM
Post
#5
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 135 Joined: 27-February 06 Member No.: 8,313 |
Agents and IC are the same thing in SR4. IC is just an agent with an attack program.
Anyway, as has been mentioned, skinlink is a good way to defend your items, and if you need wireless access (and you probably will), you should run attack agents (IC) and data bombs on each piece of equipment. |
|
|
|
|
Mar 20 2006, 01:48 AM
Post
#6
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 801 Joined: 13-March 06 Member No.: 8,374 |
OK, I'm building a Fixer with a contact list a mile long. Now this character is 55, and tries to avoid the Matrix and AR. Basically his only use for a commlink would be making phonecalls to his numerous contacts. He has no computer or computer related skills. Now, because those calls HAVE to be secure, here is what I was thinking for the setup. Skinlinked Metalink with the wireless capabilities removed and the firewall upgraded to 6. It is hardwired via an easy-to-pull fireoptic link to a portable satalite dish. Both have an easy to reach power button, which cannot be overridden by electronic means. Both use a passkey that is built into my characters cyberarm( char is a war vet, lost an arm). His cyberarm, aries pred IV and smartlink have had their wireless broadcast capabilities removied and are all hardwired together via fibreoptics. (gun wired into arm, arm wired into smartlink which is hidden in a pair of specticles). THe pred is NOT a cybergun. Incoming calls are never taken, but lessages are collected on a real crap commlink that is hooked up to the satalite while he is not making calls. The memory of said crap commlink(which also has no wireless connectivity itself) is completely wiped on a regular basis. People he wants to reply to he calls back on the good commlink. fiscal transactions are always done with credsticks.
Are their any real holes in my security? ALso I'm not sure what System, Response and Programs I would want considering that my commlink won't be used for anything other then a glorified cellphone. THanks. |
|
|
|
|
Mar 20 2006, 01:54 AM
Post
#7
|
|
|
Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,283 Joined: 17-May 05 Member No.: 7,398 |
You could just modify the predator to have an Imaging Scope with a Smartlink attachment. You'll lose the DNI, but you'll keep the attack bonus.
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 20 2006, 02:44 AM
Post
#8
|
|||||
|
Cybernetic Blood Mage Group: Members Posts: 3,472 Joined: 11-March 06 From: Northeastern Wyoming Member No.: 8,361 |
Well personally unless you were aiming for the 'Retro Look' I think I'd forgo the Cables and use a Skinlink system for your gun instead. (Although I'd imagine that the cables would be slightly more secure at a cost of being a hassle.)
Personally I'd upgrade your 'Good' Commlink's Responce/System simply to be able to use the best Encryption possible. (And Maybe a Spoof Program/Agent, just to be on the safe side once you have the extra Creds.) The only other possible 'hole' would be the fact that your character couldn't legally enter some areas as you don't have the ability to transmit any Fake IDs you might have which is appearently required in the better Security Zones now. (I'm assuming that you wouldn't want to carry your Portable Sat Dish with you everywhere in order to avoid undue attention.) |
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
Mar 20 2006, 02:57 AM
Post
#9
|
|||
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 801 Joined: 13-March 06 Member No.: 8,374 |
The arm is about 11 years old, the thing IS out of date. He doesn't make an issue of the arm, and the gun, when he is carrying, is loaded into a slide. the fibire optics for the glasses is concealed inside the specticles netcord (you know, one of those things to stop glasses from hitting the ground if/when it falls off) which discreetly splits and plugs in. Thanks for the imput on the commlink, I was thinking I would need a higher Response/System but I have no idea how high it should be. A question about legality and entering some areas. Is it illegal to have your commlink off/passive, or illegal not to be broadcasting the information? If its the first, then its not illegal to not own a commlink. It would just draw attention. Would you recogmend another crap commlink for holding IDs? |
||
|
|
|
||
|
Mar 20 2006, 01:29 PM
Post
#10
|
|
|
Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,590 Joined: 11-September 04 Member No.: 6,650 |
both
so get a spare crap commlink and put ya ID on that |
|
|
|
|
Mar 20 2006, 08:11 PM
Post
#11
|
|
|
Grand Master of Run-Fu Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 6,840 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Tir Tairngire Member No.: 178 |
If you want to make secure calls, a good Encryption program is the way to go. The satlink is worthwhile simply because it's so cheap, but it won't help a whole lot if someone's intercepting the signal along the way. And you'll still want an agent on your good commlink, just in case your call is intercepted and someone tryies to back-hack your phone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 16th September 2025 - 11:12 AM |
Topps, Inc has sole ownership of the names, logo, artwork, marks, photographs, sounds, audio, video and/or any proprietary material used in connection with the game Shadowrun. Topps, Inc has granted permission to the Dumpshock Forums to use such names, logos, artwork, marks and/or any proprietary materials for promotional and informational purposes on its website but does not endorse, and is not affiliated with the Dumpshock Forums in any official capacity whatsoever.