Agent Smith Problem, The problem and how to solve it Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Outline Switch to: Standard Switch to: Linear+

[Serbitar]

At the moment a hacker can have a large number of agents by just uploading infinite numbers to nodes and giving them orders.

Same goes for corporations, they could just have infinite numbers of agents.


Why I dont think it is a problem from the hacker side:

Stealth: At least for me, hacking is about stealth. An attack with infinite numbers of agents will instantly be noticed. And the hacking run is essentially over. Thats why I dont think the agent smith attack will be used, especially in very certain situation, here it might even make sense.

My problem is the corp version. At the moment I am handwaving it away by invoking "traffic" and "miss alarm" arguments.

In my own hacking rules I suggest dice modifiers if a persona/agent is subject to several interactions in the same phase. Be it perception or attacks, making large numbers of agents virtually useless.
I handwave this with the following arguments: Attacking and perceptions are active interactions with the persona to get data the persona doesnt really want to send (perception) or to force malevolent code into the persona. Both is easier recognized by the personas "health" and "checking" routines if large quantities of malevolent code is injected.

Please post your assessment of the whole Agent Smith problem. What is the problem for you, is it one, and how could one solve it.