Computer skill

Ice Breaker
Hacking in the game is done using the "Ice Breaker" tool. This appears at the top right hand corner of the screen when you activate a computer or console.

When you have hacked into a system the ice breaker will start to count down, as indicated by the progress bar on it. When this reaches zero you will be thrown out of the system, and if it is an ATM, receiving a shock for your trouble. To avoid this, hit the Escape key to break off the hacking attampt. This frees your mousehand to concentrate on operating the hacked interface and means you don't have to try to mouseclick on the rather small Exit icon. You must wait for the ice breaker to "recharge" at least a little before another hacking attempt can be made. The higher your skill the longer you can stay logged on to a hacked system.

ATMs
At "trained" level in the computer skill you gain the ability to hack, among other things, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). Doing so will yield a certain amount of 'credits'. The amount of credits you get from this depends upon your skill level. If you have the correct account details, use those instead for better returns.

If during the hack your "Ice Breaker" time expires then you will be thrown out, receive damage and the ATM will be locked out.

Security Consoles
By far the most beneficial reward of the computer skill is gained at "trained". The ability to hack into security consoles gives the player the ability to open and unlock doors, disable security cameras and change the targeting settings of automated security e.g. turrets. The latter gives the opportunity to have the automated systems attack enemy NPCs rather than the player.

Personal Computers
Numerous computers belonging to various characters can be found throughout the game. Hacking into these will yield emails that can give both useful and pointless (but humorous) information.

Information Terminals
These do not require the user to hack them at all. They contain various information, sometimes interesting, sometimes useful.

Komputer