Hackers face two different sorts of systems: static systems, in which a self-contained software, computer, or system has its own protections but no further maintenance, and active systems, in which the normal protections (firewall, security programs, and so forth) are backed up by a system administrator and trace programs. A stand-alone home computer, game, music file, or software program is a static system; in this case, the hacker just needs time and patience – no one’s working against her or coming after her if she fails. Corporate computers, financial data banks, government agency systems, and so on are active systems; in such cases, the hacker’s not just working against the firewall but also against active agents who’ll block, stop, and trace intruder access.

Appropriate rolls and difficulties can be found on the Computer System sidebars.