Which film is the Most Realistic Hacker Movie?
Most Realistic Hacker Movies Survey
Ever wonder if what the hackers do in the movies can actually be done?
So did I. Now that I’m in the industry, I’m continually analyzing every Hacker based movie theme for accuracy. Sometimes I wonder if Hollywood even employs a Computer Security Expert or Hacking consultant to advise on technical possibilities. I get a kick out of a film that portrays a hacker at the computer and the screen displays them flying around like an X-wing in an asteroid field of formulas while they frantically type at the keyboard.
Below are movies involving a hacker of some sort. I’d like to poll my readers and get your opinion on the most realistic hacker movies. I’ve purposely left out pictures that are beyond reality, such as The Matrix and Tron. I also didn’t include Documentaries or true story based films, such as Revolution OS and Takedown. Please refrain from voting on movies that you have not seen. The scaling is 1 – 5.
1 – Unrealistic
Not a chance that this is possible
2 – A bit Absurd
Ok some elements work, but the presentation is all wrong
3 – Somewhat Realistic
About half of what is shown is possible
4 – Quite Accurate
The majority was accurate, but there are some holes.
5 – Realistic
Everything featured is possible, and the terms, technology, and display are all real.
Realistic Hacker Movie Polls
Comment below if you have another nomination. I’ll leave these polls going indefinitely and continually add hacker movies as they are released. Maybe this archive will get to a point where you can actually identify a non documentary but educational hacker film.
Loading ... Loading ... Loading ... Loading ... Loading ... Loading ... Loading ... Loading ... Loading ... Loading ... Loading ...Digg this to bring in more voters, and don’t forget to Bookmark this page for future results and additional movies.
August 28th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Fyodor has a page on the use of Nmap in movies.
http://nmap.org/movies.html
I think Matrix Reloaded actually shows a rather cool use of nmap and a (old) ssh attack.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Wow, I’m surprised at the diversity of votes thus far.
Someone commented on ITToolbox that they hate when they see a “hacker” crack a password and a message comes on screen “password broken” or something like that. Although, I’m having a hard time recalling which movie I’ve seen that in.
@Roger
Yes, yes, actual programs being used is nice.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:30 am
as much as this staff is unreal, it kind of plants passion and a burning heart for the glowing screen.There fore developing seasoned proffesionals for the future.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:31 am
I suppose the hyped up depiction of hackers as computer kung fu martial artists may motivate some to progress down this field, but isn’t an accurate representation of reality better suited to recruit ideal professionals instead of ill informed “wannabes?”
August 29th, 2008 at 10:32 am
I found Sneakers with Redford, Pointier, & Kingsley the most interesting. The movie showed a team of pen testers using social engineering and technology together highlighting how extreme security measures can be defeated when people are not vigilant. It is a bit dated and did drop the ball on a few big tech issues but movies are about the story so writers take liberties to move the plot along. Also, they smack you in the face at the end with the ominous “who’s watching the watchers” message.
August 30th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Thanks be to thee, at one time they made me feel insufficient as a security pro, then i learned to analyze and fooound that it was all gibberish. Swordfish was a bit okay, since he used a worm he had already developed.
August 30th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I noticed that Untraceable seems to be the least voted on film in this poll. I assume because it is rather new that is the issue. The only reason I recommend this hacker movie is because (if I remember right) they use the term “botnet” correctly, and actually address IP spoofing and what not.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:03 am
In defense of the movie “Hackers” I would like to point out that, other than the 3D eye candy used instead of showing someone sitting at a terminal tapping out code, the movie was ahead of it’s time. It depicted social engineering, dumpster diving, shoulder surfing, and what I think is the first denial of service attack ever shown. When all is said, I feel it is much more realistic than most hacker flicks put out thus far. I read on the DVD covert that the director used the 3D effects just to keep the movie going public from falling asleep during the hacking scenes, and this seems very reasonable to me.
January 1st, 2009 at 5:29 pm
“I get a kick out of a film that portrays a hacker at the computer and the screen displays them flying around like an X-wing in an asteroid field of formulas while they frantically type at the keyboard.” In reply to this idiotic statement – they are movies, the director has to entertain, if you had actual step by step footage of a guy hacking a system it wouldn’t be as watchable as these “representations” which are designed to ENTERTAIN (BUHHH)… also, always keep in mind that 99% of the audience watching aren’t as computer literate as yourself. BUHHHHHHHHHHHHHH