Computer Use

Your skill at using Computer equipment. This is probably the most useful and necessary skill of a Future Hero. Technology is everywhere and normally interfacing with it requires familiarity with computers. Wither you are attempting cyber warfare, hacking into systems to learn secret information, or using sensor scanning equipment this skill will be helpful.

Check

Most normal computer operations don’t require a Computer Use check (though a character might have to make a Study check; see the Study skill description). However, searching an unfamiliar network for a particular file, writing virus, altering existing programs to perform differently (better or worse), and breaking through computer security are all relatively difficult and require skill checks.

Computer Hacking

Computer hacking is when a person attempts to break into a computer system that they are not normally allowed in and once in preform some actions such as 'Finding File' or 'Disable System', 'Overload Junction', 'Infect with Virus' and so on.

Computer Hacking is similar in nature to the Grapple technique. In that first you most succeed at hacking past a system's security and once the Hacker is "in" they have options.

Next they Hacker can preform some set of actions. Some actions immediately inform security that there is a breach while other actions are stealthy. Each turn the hacker wishes to stay on the system they have to roll to make sure they do not do anything to trigger a security alarm. The DC is 1/2 the initial DC to get into the system.

Hacking Actions

- Defeat Computer Security' Level of Security DC Time 0) Basic 15 1 Round 1) Minimum 20 2 Round 2) Average 25 3 Rounds 3) Exceptional 35 4 Rounds 4) Maximum 40 5 Rounds The DC is determined by the quality of the security program installed to defend the system. If the check is failed by 10 or more, the security system immediately alerts its administrator that there has been an unauthorized entry. An alerted administrator may attempt to identify the character or cut off the character’s access to the system. See Counter Hacking Sometimes, when accessing a difficult site, the character has to defeat security at more than one stage of the operation. If the character beats the DC by 10 or more, the character automatically succeeds at all subsequent security checks. Meaning that the Hacker doesn't have to roll for success for each round they still need to Hack in order to break into the system.

- Find File/Sensitive Info DC: Size of Site + Security Level + Mics Mod Size of Site DC Time Personal computer 10 2 round Small office network 15 3 rounds Large office network 20 6 rounds Massive corporate network 25 12 rounds Can Trip Alarm: No Retry: Yes Time: 1 Round This skill can be used for finding files or data on an unfamiliar or protected system. The DC for the check and the time required are determined by the size of the site on which the character is searching. This is only necessary if the Hacker must first get pass the systems security and/or if the information is hidden. Finding public information on the Internet does not fall under this category; usually, such a task requires a Study check. This application of the Computer Use skill only pertains to finding files on private systems or on a difficult system with which the character is not familiar.

- Disable/Enable System DC: 5 + Security Level + Mics Mod Can Trip Alarm: Yes Retry: Yes Time: 1 Round The Misc Mod may come from the GM deciding that the particular device has its own level of security. Some systems may be remote controlled or disable/enabled remotly. If a system is then it may be accessible by the system the Hacker has hacked. If so the Hacker can spend one round controlling the device. Each round they control the device they have to roll again and there is the possibility of tripping a security alarm.

- Overload Junction DC: 10 + Security Level + Mics Mod Can Trip Alarm: Yes Retry: Yes Time: 1 Round If a system's power or some other utility control is managed remotely by the system hacked by the Hacker then they can spend a turn attempting to damage it. This damage can be enough to out right destroy some things. It is up to the GM to determine how man rounds it will take to completely destroy an system. The destruction can possibly cause area of effect damage. If an enemy target is within range they will have to roll reflex saves and take damage according to grenade rules.

- Infect with Virus DC: 0 + Security Level + Mics Mod Can Trip Alarm: Yes Retry: No* Time: 1 Round The Hacker can attempt to infect a system with a virus. The virus has to be programmed or otherwise acquired before the hacking started. To learn more about what Viruses can do read the section below regarding Crafting Viruses. If a Hacker fails to infect a machine an Alarm is triggered and it is impossible to attempt again with the same virus.

- Crash Computer DC: 5 + Security Level + Mics Mod Can Trip Alarm: No Retry: Yes Time: 1 Round The Hacker can attempt to cause the system they hacked into to Crash. This usually just means the machine needs to reboot in order to get back to normal operations but this can buy a Team precious time needed to do some sort of action. The system comes back up in 1d4 rounds.

- Crash Computer DC: 10 + Security Level + Mics Mod Can Trip Alarm: No Retry: No* Time: 2 Rounds This allows a Hacker to gain access to databases and manipulate data. The size of the data can make it require more then 2 rounds. Things such as transferring money from one account to another or sabotaging company secrets. This by default doesn't raise an alarm. However if the Hacker rolls a natural 1 during this action it still can.

Counter Hacking

Counter Hacking is what someone may do when they realize there system is being hacked. Simply because a security alarm has been triggered doesn't mean the hacker is caught and is unable to go further. It just means that now they can be expelled from the machine. A System Admin or other user who is defending a system can attempt to remove and even Identify the hacker who is attempting access.

Deny Access

The user defending a system has to roll an opposed Computer Use check against the latest Computer Use score of the Hacker. If successful the Hacker is kicked from the system and is unable to try again for 24 hours and has to take disadvantage for at least a week depending on the GM. The Hacker can relocate and attempt again sooner but they still take disadvantage as long as the system is being defended by the same user.

Identify

The user defending a system can roll an opposed Computer Use check against the latest Computer Use score of the Hacker. If successful they can gain a single peace of information. Such as location, make/model of Hacker PC, length of time they have been in the system. With location the user can attempt to Counter Hack the Hacker. With the 'model of hacker PC' they gain advantage while doing so. With 'length of time' they can gain advantage when trying additional Identify or Deny Access attempts.

Crafting Virus

A Character can use there Computer Use skill once it is at Rank 2 to craft viruses. Just like crafting rules for the Craft skills the higher the Computer Use Skill Rank the more customization points can be applied to the Virus that is programmed/crafted. A higher Computer Use Rank also allows the Character to make higher ranked Viruses.

Below is a chart of different viruses. Additional customization can be added to make the virus harder to detect or easier to infect. Viruses are categorized under 3 main threat levels. The threat level represents the seriousness of what the virus can do. Or what harm it could bring.

1. Threat Level 1 Viruses (Rank 2 Computer Use)
   1. Fill of disk with unusable or pointless data
   2. Distract users with ads and pop ups.
   3. Find and send already existing data.
2. Threat Level 2 Viruses (Rank 2 Computer Use)
   1. Reboot or otherwise temporarily disable a device.
   2. Record and send active user data such as key strokes.
   3. Find and delete or otherwise edit data.
3. Threat Level 3 Viruses (Rank 2 Computer Use)
   1. Damage software or otherwise disable system until repaired.
   2. Manipulate core operating systems and functions of network.

Viruses

Virus Type	Ability	Detection and Removal DC
Threat Level 1 Viruses (Requires 2 Ranks in Computer Use)
Backdoor	Lowers the DC for a Hacker to get back into the infected system to 5	DC 10
File Mine	This creates a file or directory that links to a virus that can do a TL1 effect	DC 10
Spam-o-tron	This creates distractions for uses on a network	DC 15
Threat Level 2 Viruses (Requires 3 Ranks in Computer Use)
Backdoor Worm	Lowers the DC for a Hacker to get back into the infected system to 5. It self replicates making it harder to remove.	DC 15
File Worm	This replicates itself and replaces existing files and directories on a system. When accessed it causes a predetermined TL2 effect.	DC15
Trojan	This listens in on user actions to try to determine user info such as passwords/usernames, bank info etc...	DC20
Try.Delete	This virus can be programmed to hunt down any occurrence of some data and edit or delete it every time it finds it.	DC20
Threat Level 3 Viruses (Requires 4 Ranks in Computer Use)
Backdoor Boot Sector	Lowers the DC for a Hacker to get back into the infected system to 5.	DC 25
OverLoader 9000	Causes havoc to a systems CPU, Memory and IO to disk. The system is useless until repaired.	DC20
d3f3C7\/3 (The Defective Virus)	This can only work on systems that control sensitive machinery. It causes overloads in power, pressure, etc.. to disable the physical hardware.	DC20
Mind Funk	This virus randomly picks an effect and attempts to do it. Roll a d8 and pick an effect from the list of Virus Threat Levels or design your own.	DC25

A customization point is rewarded for every rank above the rank required to make the virus. They can be spent to increase the DC by 5 for every point. Or increase the effect. Or added a new effect or bonus effect.

Crafting a virus takes time to do. You not only have to write it but test it out to ensure it works correctly. The above list are only examples you can make a custom Threat Level X virus as long as the GM agrees and the Character has the correct skill rank for it. It takes one week of full day work to prefect the virus. Once made you no longer need to craft it again. It is now in your 'repertoire' of viruses. You can even sell or buy viruses on the dark market. Threat Level 1's are almost worthless and are only a few credits. Threat Level 2 are worth $100 and Threat Level 3 are worth $10,000. Each bonus point spent increases the price by 50%.

Ship Bases Functions

The Computer Use Skill can be used to assist in the operation of certain ship functions. Crypto, Hack, Jam, Scan. To learn more about these ship functions or about ship functions in general visit the Ship Functions section of Space Ships.

Try Again

Computer Use requires at least a full-round action. The GM may determine that some tasks require several rounds, a few minutes, or longer, as described above. A character can take 10 when using the Computer Use skill. A character can take 20 in some cases, but not in those that involve a penalty for failure. (A character cannot take 20 to defeat computer security or defend security.)

Special

• Feats: A character with the Gearhead feat gets a +2 bonus on all Computer Use checks.