There are countless hacker films out there and even more action movies that feature a character making a few keystrokes and saying “I’m in” to break into some kind of high-tech security system. We all know that isn’t exactly how hacking works, but for the love of cinema, we tend to let it slide.
Seeing green numbers scroll across a screen or a password covered up by black dots makes it easy to get lost in the moment of hacking bliss. But, far too many movies get it wrong, no matter how entertaining they might be. So, which ones get it right? Are there actually some Hollywood productions that have honed in on hacking? The answer is yes, and when you see those movies again knowing the hacking is “legit,” you’ll have a completely new respect for that cool computer moment. Let’s take a look at three films Hollywood got right when it comes to hacking, and why.
The Italian Job
Truthfully, we could just listen to Michael Caine talk for two hours straight. But, in 1969’s The Italian Job, Caine does much more. He plays a British crook with a plan to steal a shipment of gold from the streets of Turin. What’s the basis of that plan?
Creating a traffic jam.
What’s unique about this film is that it probably isn’t what most people think of today in terms of “hacking.” Because it came out in the 1960s, there weren’t high-end computers, and no one was able to connect to WiFi from anywhere like they can today to “blow the bloody doors off.” No one had mobile hotspots or portable routers in their vans to keep the target in sight while breaking into computer systems. Instead, the film focuses on “hacking” into a traffic control system. A member of Caine’s crew jams the closed-circuit television cameras that monitor traffic. It results in a nasty traffic jam that allows them to complete their heist even though it ends with a pretty intense cliffhanger – literally.
Hackers
If you’re going to make a film called Hackers, you had better do your research on how to make it legitimate. While there are some parts of Hackers that tech nerds might cringe at, there are some areas that are right on the money. The film focuses on a young boy, Dade Murphy, who is banned from computers after breaking into the New York Stock Exchange and causing a 7-point drop.
By the time he’s finally allowed to get back online, Dade realizes he’s got some serious competition. The plot of this movie focuses on several hackers and their attempts to infiltrate the Secret Service and wreak havoc. Nowadays, federal agencies and major corporations hire cryptographers to keep their data secure. Cryptographers are often known as “ethical hackers,” and it’s their job to stay one step ahead of anyone who might be trying to break into their systems. The skills required to become a cryptographer include:
- Knowledge of major programming languages
- Strong mathematical skills
- Knowledge of number theory
- Experience with ever-changing technology
Perhaps the best part of this film is the cutting-edge technology that was used. The movie was made in 1995. So, while computers and hacking were nothing new, it certainly wasn’t what we think of today. This film brought the underground world of hacking into the light, informing people who may not have known anything about it before. Thankfully, they got a lot of things right in the process.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
What’s interesting about The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is that it humanizes and normalizes hacking. Though Lisbeth Salander is a computer genius, she does her work on a very plain-looking Mac computer, bringing the audience into the idea that anyone could be doing this from their bedroom. Many hacking films focus on large mainframes and expansive computer systems. This one shows just how little technology you need to uncover a lot of information.
What is also unique about this film is that it doesn’t focus on hacking for money. Rather, the main focus is on using technology to find a woman who has been missing for 40 years. Salander uses several hacking techniques to get the information she needs from different sources. That’s another educational point the audience can take from this film: there’s more than one way to hack. Some of the most common techniques include:
- Cookie theft
- Viruses
- Keylogging
- Bait and switch
Most hackers are quick to use a variety of these techniques to get what they want, and this movie portrayed that beautifully. There will always be plenty of action movies with hacking scenes Hollywood gets wrong. But, keep these particular films in mind the next time you see a hacking scene anywhere. Try to compare them, and decide for yourself which parts are legitimate and which are strictly there for entertainment.