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RunnerPaul
From Bull's Request for unanswered Matrix questions thread (the one that's supposed to be questions only, and no discussion):
QUOTE (Asheron)
Can I hack an opponent's cybereyes and guns? If so, is it necessary to install ICE or unplug these devices? How would I do so?


Let's start with Cyberware. Cyberware, like nearly anything else in 2070 is wireless capable. However, most cyber has a Signal rating of 0, meaning that someone wanting to hack cyberware would have to be nearly right on top of the target to directly connect via wireless. On top of that, turning wireless functionality off and on is a free action (p.135, Changed Linked Device Mode).

The wireless isn't really needed for much anyway; any implant that requires input from the user to operate is already set up with DNI to allow users to input commands. As for interconnection between implants, when you get your ware, you get to specify what other pieces of ware it gets wired to. Probably the only time that you'd need the wireless to be on would be during your doctor visit, so the doc could log on to your implant to pull up status reports and run diagnostics.

Now, there will be times when you'll want to move data from on your cyber out to the outside world. Again, this wouldn't need to involve turning on the wireless, as long as the cyber is skinlink-adapted (or is connected to another implant that is).
Whether you use skinlink or turn the wireless on, you'll want to connect up to your commlink, making the implant part of your PAN. When it's on your PAN, any hacker would have to get through the IC and Firewall on your commlink first before they could hack your implant.

As for smartguns, if they're skinlink adapted, they don't have any real need for wireless communication either. Add it as another device on your PAN, just as described above for cyber.
Asheron
I'll read this again when I'm not so tired but thanks for clearing some of it up. I just remember when we first played SR4 we hacked guns...and with Ghost in the Shell having hackable eyes, I just thought it would be lame to able to disable the sam w/o firing a shot.
hobgoblin
how is so lame? welcome to the dark future, where the hacker is "king" biggrin.gif
Demon_Bob
I see implants as only having administrative access and funtion commands through the equivalent of a skin link.
The wireless feature is more for sending and receiving data.
Sure a hacker could get access to cybereyes, but all he could do is; look at the logs, copy files, and route the camera feed through your comlink into the web.
He could not turn off/on anything without a direct link.
Otherwise, all it would take is for one hacker to write a cyberware attacking viral agent to blind/cripple thousands of people.
Geekkake
QUOTE (Demon_Bob)
Otherwise, all it would take is for one hacker to write a cyberware attacking viral agent to blind/cripple thousands of people.

Oooo...
emo samurai
Damn you, skinlink!
Aaron
QUOTE (Demon_Bob @ Aug 7 2006, 10:05 AM)
I see implants as only having administrative access and funtion commands through the equivalent of a skin link.
The wireless feature is more for sending and receiving data.
Sure a hacker could get access to cybereyes, but all he could do is; look at the logs, copy files, and route the camera feed through your comlink into the web.
He could not turn off/on anything without a direct link.
Otherwise, all it would take is for one hacker to write a cyberware attacking viral agent to blind/cripple thousands of people.

I have to disagree with you on this one. Skinlinks are for the outside of the body, not for internal use. Even at such low amperages, there may be a risk of mucking with neural impulses. Eyes might have a link to the outside of the body, but it's far easier and less intrusive to make them wireless. What protects them from casual futzing is the user's commlink, to which they are subscribed.

As to commlinks being vulnerable to hacking, sure. But consider the following two paragraphs.

A commlink can be broken into with someone with the right tools. A person with skills and programs can defeat the commlink's security and gain access illegally.

Now re-read that last paragraph, only replace the word "commlink" with "house" and the phrase "skills and programs" with "a crowbar."

See where I'm coming from? So here's my question: What's keeping people from running rampant in other people's houses? And here's my point: it's for those same reasons that people don't run rampant in other people's PANs.
Rotbart van Dainig
Implants have two additional interfaces: DNI and internal routing.
Thus, turning off wireless is nearly normal.
RunnerPaul
QUOTE (Rotbart van Dainig)
Implants have two additional interfaces: DNI and internal routing.
Thus, turning off wireless is nearly normal.

Especially when that internal routing can connect all your implants to the everpresent datajack. Sure, plugging wires into your head is almost retro-tech by 2070s standards, but it's reliable and secure.
Exodus
QUOTE (RunnerPaul)
QUOTE (Rotbart van Dainig @ Aug 7 2006, 03:32 PM)
Implants have two additional interfaces: DNI and internal routing.
Thus, turning off wireless is nearly normal.

Especially when that internal routing can connect all your implants to the everpresent datajack. Sure, plugging wires into your head is almost retro-tech by 2070s standards, but it's reliable and secure.

Amazing, the same reasons why we still use wires today. Who would have thunk it.
2bit
QUOTE (RunnerPaul)
As for smartguns, if they're skinlink adapted, they don't have any real need for wireless communication either.
If your smartgun's wireless is on, you can command it remotely and continue to receive video and other info from it. Might come in handy for an ad-hoc distraction or ambush in tight quarters. The opportunity to make use of this may rarely come up, but it bears remembering.
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