Real hacking is boring. Hollywood hates boring (sometimes). (But how many real-life hackers would want to be responsible for The CSI Effect?) Instead of exploiting security flaws or using "social engineering" to convince an office worker you are doing a "routine password verification", you set up four computer monitors filled with coding language in a dark Hacker Cave and guide a little 3D version of yourself through a fiery onscreen maze that somehow represents the firewall, without forgetting to leave a Skull and Crossbones image that takes the entire screen of the hacked computer. Or you run a Password Slot Machine to decrypt the password digit by digit.
It's usually almost nothing like real hacking, although either way, you may have to use Rapid-Fire Typing. That last part also means that any AI or robot that can directly interface with a computer is automatically the greatest hacker in the universe that can instantly take over any system no matter how secure because it doesn't need to type.
Hollywood Hacking is when some sort of convoluted, unrealistic metaphor is used not only to describe hacking but actually to put it into practice. Characters will come up with rubbish like, "Extinguish the firewall!" and "I'll use the Millennium Bug to launch an Overclocking Attack on the whole Internet!" — even hacking light switches and electric razors, which is even sillier if said electric razor is unplugged. The intent is to employ a form of Artistic License or hand waving which takes advantage of presumed technophobia among the audience. You can also expect this trope to annoy those within the audience whose occupation involves computers or the Internet.
Of course, with computers, this could also fall under much the same heading as And Some Other Stuff; one hardly wants to come under any accusations of informing the audience of how to hack computers.
In Video Games the Hacking Minigame is an Acceptable Break From Reality based on the Rule of Fun ... mainly because who wants to sit there and exploit security flaws when you could use a green tank to shoot stuff?
Hollywood Hacking might be performed by either the Playful Hacker (who does it for funsies, or to help the good guys), or The Cracker (the criminal hacker). If the attack brings two computer-savvy users head-to-head, then you've also got Dueling Hackers. See also Hollywood Encryption.
Hollywood Hacking has been suggested to play 1 roles. Click below to see other actors suggested for each role, and vote for who you think would play the role best.
