[Maelstrom]

Stealth doesn't actually have a dice pool associated to it, it's just a target number (more or less).

I believe it works.  Stealth is an opposed test for Matrix Perception: Hacking + Stealth (or Firewall + Stealth).  Reference SR4A page 228.

[Xzylvador]

It would work on that test, but not when a system you're hacking has an extended Firewall+Analyse extended test with Stealth as threshold.
R5 Stealth would mean the threshold is 5, optimization wouldn't make the threshold 6 because it's not a test.

[Maelstrom]

It would work on that test, but not when a system you're hacking has an extended Firewall+Analyse extended test with Stealth as threshold.
R5 Stealth would mean the threshold is 5, optimization wouldn't make the threshold 6 because it's not a test.

Yes, it works for tests but not when the Stealth rating is the threshold.

[Tenh]

Thanks for the replies - I was thinking of Stealth in the threshold sense of a system detecting your hacking attempts...

Are there any good ways to raise that without becoming a technomancer?  I can't seem to find any?  Specifically any that are legal during character creation?

[Maelstrom]

Thanks for the replies - I was thinking of Stealth in the threshold sense of a system detecting your hacking attempts...

Are there any good ways to raise that without becoming a technomancer?  I can't seem to find any?  Specifically any that are legal during character creation?

Not that I know of.  Hacking skill + Program rating, and a proxy server is your friend.

[Maelstrom]

Didn't think about this during my last post...

If your GM allows it, you could make a hacker adept.  Take Improved Ability to increase your skill(s) and choose other powers as desired.