Hi DS,
So I've logged into a Node (public account) for a Street Mall (Basic Info, Directions, etc.) and want to find out how I can shut-down the Mall lighting to help ensure the team's escape. I assume I'd need to Hack up-to Security/Admin and run a data search to see what controls/devices I can access. If, this Node/System isn't responsible for this type of thing, what's a good approach to finding the Node/System that would let me find what I am looking for?
I am assuming I can't generally ask "What Node is responsible for controlling the light for the Street Mall @ X Address?". Similarly, with proper access, I could see this type of query being completely acceptable inside a tiered System of nodes (say for Security personal for the Mall).
Another possibility is that type of action isn't available (the lights), but I am curious how you'd come to that conclusion and what Tests to make to get there.
Thanks!
~GTT
Full Version: Discovering Node/System capabilities
The node that controls lighting in the mall might be public, but I would tend to think is actually hidden. Maintenance and mall staff would have various user, security, and admin-level accesses, depending on their jobs.
First, you'd have to detect the hidden node. If you know what it looks like, that's an Elec. Warfare + Scan (4) test, I believe. Otherwise, you keep rolling until the GM says you've found it. Sorting out the specific node you're looking for from the other hidden nodes might require a test as well. You might have to log/hack into a number of them before you find the right one, but hopefully they've been given names that give you a clue as to what they are for.
Once inside the right node, you might have access to a system map that'll tell you what all the various nodes are for. Otherwise, you'll have to make educated guesses.
Hope that helps.
Dread Polack
First, you'd have to detect the hidden node. If you know what it looks like, that's an Elec. Warfare + Scan (4) test, I believe. Otherwise, you keep rolling until the GM says you've found it. Sorting out the specific node you're looking for from the other hidden nodes might require a test as well. You might have to log/hack into a number of them before you find the right one, but hopefully they've been given names that give you a clue as to what they are for.
Once inside the right node, you might have access to a system map that'll tell you what all the various nodes are for. Otherwise, you'll have to make educated guesses.
Hope that helps.
Dread Polack
I'd find a guy with soft shoes and polyester suit. [mall security]
Hack their commlink, list subscribed devices, then hack the security node from their commlink. Go in as an Admin if you have a good Edge and can get in undetected, then once you're in as an Admin roll Computer+<program> ... not hacking ... and do it all with ease.
To refine the method, change the password on all other admin and user accounts and at the moment-of-truth kick all their connections. [unsubscribe their commlinks]. Then turn off the lights and reboot the node. It'll guarantee at least a short while with no lights. Once the security node comes back online THEY have to hack it or restore it from backup.
Another refinement is to put a few agents carrying attack programs with their icons made into the mall owning company's logo. when someone hacks in they lie and tell the security guys hacking in, "STOP! This is Mall-er-ific security! You are being traced and authorities are on their way! I am authorized to respond with deadly force! ...5! ...4! ...3! ...2! ...1! "and then engage.
It will also make it harder for them to get it back up if you encrypt EVERYTHING with a unique algorithm. Have each device using seperate encryption. Every camera, every light. Let them hack each and every piece. Since it will take a long time to make all that you might want to do it like a VPN as an additional connection then have an agent swap subscriptions from the original to the modified/encrypted ones after the moment-of-truth.
Maybe more answering than you want, but thats some things I might try.
Hack their commlink, list subscribed devices, then hack the security node from their commlink. Go in as an Admin if you have a good Edge and can get in undetected, then once you're in as an Admin roll Computer+<program> ... not hacking ... and do it all with ease.
To refine the method, change the password on all other admin and user accounts and at the moment-of-truth kick all their connections. [unsubscribe their commlinks]. Then turn off the lights and reboot the node. It'll guarantee at least a short while with no lights. Once the security node comes back online THEY have to hack it or restore it from backup.
Another refinement is to put a few agents carrying attack programs with their icons made into the mall owning company's logo. when someone hacks in they lie and tell the security guys hacking in, "STOP! This is Mall-er-ific security! You are being traced and authorities are on their way! I am authorized to respond with deadly force! ...5! ...4! ...3! ...2! ...1! "and then engage.
It will also make it harder for them to get it back up if you encrypt EVERYTHING with a unique algorithm. Have each device using seperate encryption. Every camera, every light. Let them hack each and every piece. Since it will take a long time to make all that you might want to do it like a VPN as an additional connection then have an agent swap subscriptions from the original to the modified/encrypted ones after the moment-of-truth.
Maybe more answering than you want, but thats some things I might try.
Edit2: Wow, a triple post. I hate my commlink, I truly do. Again, sorry.
Edit: Sorry for the double post, my internet connection is doing weird things.
First off, I second pretty much everything Dread Polack said.
| QUOTE (Wasabi) |
| I'd find a guy with soft shoes and polyester suit. [mall security] Hack their commlink, list subscribed devices, then hack the security node from their commlink. Go in as an Admin if you have a good Edge and can get in undetected, then once you're in as an Admin roll Computer+<program> ... not hacking ... and do it all with ease. |
Yep, agreed. To get a list of devices subscribed to the security guard's commlink, you'd only need normal access, so hack on in very happily. Even if you get detected, which you shouldn't if you're any manner of hacker at all, it shouldn't take more than a quick Browse to find the list, and it'd probably be named something obvious for your convenience. Getting an admin account to the security node could be tough, but that's your hacker's problem, not mine. Also, depending on the system, he might only need security-level access, not admin-level.
| QUOTE (Wasabi) |
| To refine the method, change the password on all other admin and user accounts and at the moment-of-truth kick all their connections. [unsubscribe their commlinks]. Then turn off the lights and reboot the node. It'll guarantee at least a short while with no lights. Once the security node comes back online THEY have to hack it or restore it from backup. |
That might work, but it's not guaranteed. There's an opposed test the node needs to make against any connections it's trying to disconnect. SR4, p.223. The node rolls Firewall+System against Hacking+Exploit, although since everyone else is presumably using a legitimate account their exploit programs don't apply, and as low-paid wageslaves, they probably aren't great hackers either. The thing is, you can either tell the node to sever connections one at a time, or you can tell it to sever all connections at once. If you do it one at a time, it'll take one action (of some sort, I'm not sure which) per connection. If you do it all at once, it'll try to sever your connection too.
Of course, what I would do is change everyone's passwords, kill the lights, and crash the system. It'll take a number of turns to reboot equal to its system, plus everyone's connections will be severed, and when they try to log back on they'll discover that their passwords no longer work. I definitely think that's the way to go. Be careful though, because telling a node to reboot makes it start a firewall+response extended test (10, 1 combat turn) and will alert the other users of the node (like the real admin, for example), and attempting to crash an OS to make it reboot immediately triggers an alert, giving the node +4 firewall against you and calling in real security.
On the public node:
1) run a Data Search + Browse to find the controls for the lights.
2.1) when that comes up empty make a Matrix Perception test
A) the controlling node will be in Hidden Mode and running Stealth
B) if you get 1 net success you ask the GM "are there any secret trap door access node here to another network" (BBB, 217) or a variation
2.2) if you are in Signal range of the mall, ie. in range of the matrix you can:
A) EW + Scan (4) test
B) Decrypt + Response (Encrypt x2, 1 CT)
C) Matrix perception to check for data bombs (and possibly defuse)
D) EW + Sniffer (3) test
E) Matrix perception test to get AID and now have location of hidden node
3) now you have to hack in as normal
4) passcode access is optional, either have access at certain levels or use Hacking to get everything done. Personally I prefer to use hacking since it let me focus more on that skill instead of Computer (which only need for Matrix Perception)
5) once on just run a Data Search + Browse to find the controls for the lights.
1) run a Data Search + Browse to find the controls for the lights.
2.1) when that comes up empty make a Matrix Perception test
A) the controlling node will be in Hidden Mode and running Stealth
B) if you get 1 net success you ask the GM "are there any secret trap door access node here to another network" (BBB, 217) or a variation
2.2) if you are in Signal range of the mall, ie. in range of the matrix you can:
A) EW + Scan (4) test
B) Decrypt + Response (Encrypt x2, 1 CT)
C) Matrix perception to check for data bombs (and possibly defuse)
D) EW + Sniffer (3) test
E) Matrix perception test to get AID and now have location of hidden node
3) now you have to hack in as normal
4) passcode access is optional, either have access at certain levels or use Hacking to get everything done. Personally I prefer to use hacking since it let me focus more on that skill instead of Computer (which only need for Matrix Perception)
5) once on just run a Data Search + Browse to find the controls for the lights.
| QUOTE (Gelare) |
| The node rolls Firewall+System against Hacking+Exploit, although since everyone else is presumably using a legitimate account their exploit programs don't apply |
Nothing says that you can unload their copy of Firewall and load your own lower-rating version. Drop it from like a 6 to something like a 4. Thats if you have a gimp hacking skill, of course, and remember that you roll Computer - Not hacking - if you have a legit account. This can make a matrix perception-based hacker very viable when given the time to probe for a way in.
Thanks everyone for sharing your ideas. Very creative too!
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