[Hanzo]

As far as yesterday I had a discussion with my colleagues regarding wired bricking. But I still don't understand how it is possible.

1) You need an icon for the Attacker and an icon for the Defender. Let's say that Jack the Decker has plugged into his second Datajack a throwback gun, and his deck is plugged into his first Datajack. The gun cannot interract with the Matrix, i.e. it doesn't have an icon.

2) If the Defender doesn't have an icon that means that you cannot shoot it with a Data-spike to brick.
That's a logical "stop" for me.

3) If the Bricking action is still available for this situation that means that the Gun is dragged into the Matrix by the deck (or any other device that is capable of connecting to the Matrix). The Gun's icon apears the the Matrix, and it can be attacked by anyone. So every single time when you connect to your gun by means of the DNI, if you are connected to the Matrix via implanted commlink/deck or other means of the Matrix Connection, you expose your gun to decker attacks as your guns icon is not a part of your PAN, meaning that it can be bricked. An that is true, to my mind, not only for throwback guns, but also for ordinary guns w/ wireless mode OFF.

The second issue we were discussing in turning wireless capabilities off.

If you ask me I'd tell you that this is possible only by means on turnin the device off. Faraday cage doesn't turn the device off, but it makes a device lose the connection with the Matrix (like "lost signal" status of modern smartphones). If you can swith device's wireless capabilities off simply by issuing a command then you, of course, all the wireless bonuses, but from now on you are completely unhackable and untrackable.

For instance: John the Rigger is tired of constant decker attacks and just want to take his team from point A to point B. His team loads into John's car, switches off their devices' wireless capabilities, including John who switches off his car's wireless capabilities and then he Jumps In the car with the help of implanted Control Rig 2. And that's it! Completely untrackable and unhackable team.


And the third issue is wired LAN.

It is still possible to browse through files on your commlink as they are stored in its memory. But is it possible to read files on a datachip when you deck's wireless capability is off? Maybe you're a very oldschool guy or maybe you're paranoid regarding enemy deckers and keep your comm always off from the Matrix. Can you create some sort of LAN in 2k75 by connecting devices with wireless capabilities off ?

[Stainless Steel Devil Rat]

I'm not sure I understand what larger point you're trying to make or ask about, so I'll answer your questions literally.  But as a rule of thumb: you're not supposed to be able to be unhackable AND benefit from wireless bonuses at the same time.  Doesn't matter what logic you use... it's just not supposed to happen as a matter of game balance.  Just accept the risk along with the reward, and recognize that the wireless matrix doesn't operate in accordance with any laws of IT.  It's literally built on the souls of dead technomancers, and may as well be magic.

As far as yesterday I had a discussion with my colleagues regarding wired bricking. But I still don't understand how it is possible.

1) You need an icon for the Attacker and an icon for the Defender. Let's say that Jack the Decker has plugged into his second Datajack a throwback gun, and his deck is plugged into his first Datajack. The gun cannot interract with the Matrix, i.e. it doesn't have an icon.

Ok, yes.  If the gun is off the matrix, it can't be targeted for matrix actions.  But it seems odd that you'd bother stringing a wire to it if you're NOT using any matrix functions.  Mind you, it's not like you're connecting to smartlink cyberware by plugging a data cable from your datajack to the gun.... you'd need to plug the wire literally into your EYE to communicate with your smartlink augmentation, and if you did that now you don't have DNI to your gun.

And if you used an internal router, then the wired connection still opens the gun up to remote/wireless hacking via your internal router.

So... not seeing why anyone would even be doing this in the first place.

2) If the Defender doesn't have an icon that means that you cannot shoot it with a Data-spike to brick.
That's a logical "stop" for me.

Yep.  If there's no matrix icon, there's no way to target.  But that goes both ways... if you're not on the matrix, you don't get any wireless function/bonus.  Hard stop.

3) If the Bricking action is still available for this situation that means that the Gun is dragged into the Matrix by the deck (or any other device that is capable of connecting to the Matrix).
 The Gun's icon apears the the Matrix, and it can be attacked by anyone.

See this is where you're losing me.  It's not available.  Not on the matrix = not on the matrix.  Q.E.D.

So every single time when you connect to your gun by means of the DNI, if you are connected to the Matrix via implanted commlink/deck or other means of the Matrix Connection, you expose your gun to decker attacks as your guns icon is not a part of your PAN, meaning that it can be bricked. An that is true, to my mind, not only for throwback guns, but also for ordinary guns w/ wireless mode OFF.

Plugging a wireless-off gun via a wire into your datajack does not connect the gun to ANYTHING except your datajack.  Without wireless, your gun can't talk to the commlink, can't talk to the smartlink, etc etc.  Literally the ONLY thing it can talk to in this scenario is the datajack.  Now, since the datajack is presumably wireless-on, that's how the gun is talking to your smartlink and etc.  But THAT means it can be hacked.  And so long as the data cable is connected to the gun, then the gun is considered to be directly connected to the wireless-on datajack, so you haven't gained much... other than making remote hackers have to go through one more hoop before fragging with your gun. Not a whole lot of gain for the added physical PITA of having wires flopping around snagging on drek.

The second issue we were discussing in turning wireless capabilities off.

If you ask me I'd tell you that this is possible only by means on turnin the device off. Faraday cage doesn't turn the device off, but it makes a device lose the connection with the Matrix (like "lost signal" status of modern smartphones). If you can swith device's wireless capabilities off simply by issuing a command then you, of course, all the wireless bonuses, but from now on you are completely unhackable and untrackable.

Leave real world knowledge at the door.  The matrix doesn't operate on the principles of EM energy... it operates on the principles of "Dead Technomancer Soul energy".  The matrix work the way the rules says it works.  That's the beginning, the middle, AND the end of the discussion.

For instance: John the Rigger is tired of constant decker attacks and just want to take his team from point A to point B. His team loads into John's car, switches off their devices' wireless capabilities, including John who switches off his car's wireless capabilities and then he Jumps In the car with the help of implanted Control Rig 2. And that's it! Completely untrackable and unhackable team.

Generally, yes.  Of course an exception would be if someone had placed a data tap on the car's circuits or cabling somewhere... but yes generally that's correct.  No matrix presence = no matrix presence.  Furthermore, the rigger can just direct connect his VCR to the vehicle without having to route through a RCC or commlink.  Assuming, of course, he's physically present...

Note that running vehicles/drones with wireless-off is probably considered a traffic/safety hazard akin to driving at night with your headlights off.  Hey, just because you have thermographic vision and can see fine without your headlights doesn't mean it's ok.  Other people need to be able to see you... and in the sixth world where other vehicles are doing the driving, not broadcasting your car's matrix icon so other vehicles can see it and know to account for you is seriously hazardous.

And the third issue is wired LAN.

It is still possible to browse through files on your commlink as they are stored in its memory. But is it possible to read files on a datachip when you deck's wireless capability is off? Maybe you're a very oldschool guy or maybe you're paranoid regarding enemy deckers and keep your comm always off from the Matrix. Can you create some sort of LAN in 2k75 by connecting devices with wireless capabilities off ?

Actually, the way I read the rules if your commlink is wireless-off, then it is NOT possible to look through your own files.  It's a matrix action to browse, and if you have no matrix you can't perform matrix actions.  I rationalize it that since you have infinite storage, that means "clearly" things are stored on the cloud rather than on chips physically inside the housing of your commlink. 

Now that being said, it's absolutely possible to have offline hosts and networks... they are canonical.  But there are no rules for making your own hosts at all, whether they be online OR offline.

[Xenon]

Let's say that Jack the Decker has plugged into his second Datajack a throwback gun, and his deck is plugged into his first Datajack. The gun cannot interract with the Matrix, i.e. it doesn't have an icon.

A wireless disabled gun (can be a wireless disabled smartgun, doesn't have to be a throwback gun) is not connected to the matrix. It does not provide any wireless bonuses and it is typically immune to hacking (and bricking).

The only way to hack (or brick) the device is for the hacker to connected to it directly, using a wire from his cyberdeck to the device (or physically touching with a skinlink echo in case of a technomancer using her living persona).

...that means that the Gun is dragged into the Matrix by the deck (or any other device that is capable of connecting to the Matrix).

This is not how it works in this edition.
In this edition each device need to connect to the matrix itself, not via "proxy" or a "router" or a "server".
(think bluetooth, but with world wide range - if that helps).

If you ask me I'd tell you that this is possible only by means on turnin the device off.

SR5 p. 162 Free Actions - Change Linked Device Mode
A character may use a Free Action to activate, deactivate, or switch the mode on any device that he is linked to by a direct neural interface through either a wired or wireless link. This includes ... turning a device’s wireless functionality off

SR5 p. 164 Simple Actions - Change Device Mode
A character may use a Simple Action to activate, deactivate, or change the mode on any device with a simple switch, a virtual button, or a command from a commlink or other control device through either a wired or wireless link. This includes ... turning a device’s wireless functionality off

John who switches off his car's wireless capabilities

Note that GridGuide typically require that the vehicle is wireless connected to the matrix (driving through a down-town intersection might prove to be highly dangerous if none of the other autonomous vehicles in your vicinity know that your vehicle exists because your vehicle is not communicating with all the other vehicles).

...and then he Jumps In the car with the help of implanted Control Rig 2.

It is possible to jump in via a direct connection, yes.

SR5 p. 266 Noise and Rigging
If you’re using a direct connection, you don’t have to worry about Noise at all. A rigger’s data cable gets a lot of use for this reason.

(Note that if someone pull the cord you will suffer dump shock)



Let me expand a bit on that;

Normally you would access the matrix via your RCC and the RCC would provide you with a matrix persona, matrix attributes and matrix condition monitor. Then, either wireless over the matrix or via a cable from your wireless enabled RCC to the vehicle (which make you immune to noise), you take the Matrix Action "Jump into Rigged Device" (which, like all matrix actions, require that you are connected to the matrix, even if the target device is not). If the drone or vehicle take matrix damage while you are being jumped in it will be soaked by your RCC.

But it is also possible to directly (from meat space, without first accessing the matrix via your RCC) jump into a vehicle via your Control Rig (it is the control rig, not the RCC that holds the SIM module). This is done with the regular, non-matrix, action "Rigger Jump In". Since it is a non-matrix action there is no requirement that you (nor the target device) need to be connected to the matrix. You can either do it wireless over the matrix, in which case both of you need to have a matrix access. In this case the vehicle itself will provide you with a matrix persona, matrix attributes and matrix condition monitor (which typically have worse ratings than your RCC, unless perhaps we are talking about a space ship). If the drone or vehicle take matrix damage while you are being jumped in it will be soaked by the drone or vehicle itself. Or by connecting a wire between your control rig and the vehicle (in which case none of you need to be connected to the matrix, which is the scenario you are talking about).

is it possible to read files on a datachip when you deck's wireless capability is off?

Datachip (and credsticks etc) don't have wireless capability and to read them you slot them (for example into your commlink).
Typically your commlink would be wireless enabled while doing this (and to transfer money too or from a credstick you are required to have a matrix connection to the financial institute that certified the credstick).

Book doesn't say, but I think it would be fair to assume that your commlink may be wireless disabled if you just wish to read the contents of the datachip (or to just check the balance of a certified, or forged, credstick). Then again, with a more strict reading of RAW the Edit File action (which is used to read File Icons) is a matrix action and as all matrix it require that you have access to the matrix (which would suggest that your commlink need to be wireless enabled after all).

SR5 p. 237 Matrix Actions
As you’ve no doubt guessed from the name, Matrix actions are only available in the Matrix.

You might want to discuss this at your table and decide for yourself on how to handle it.

Can you create some sort of LAN in 2k75 by connecting devices with wireless capabilities off ?

Yes.

(Note that devices can still be hacked via direct connection or by using a wireless enabled data tap etc)
(Also note that devices in this case will not be slaved to a Host, as Hosts are virtual matrix only constructs in this edition)

SR5 p. 360 Wired Security
It is possible for a network owner to decide to forgo wireless connections entirely and instead connect their system using traditional wires. This is rare due to the inconvenience it presents, but still an option for those mistrusting of the security wireless offers. All Matrix devices connect via wireless by default, with many of the less expensive ones not having a wired connection option. If an organization wants to wire a network, the cabling must be purchased and installed throughout the location where the network exists. This limits the placement of devices and requires maintenance of the proper connections. Wired networks are still vulnerable in many of the same ways as wireless networks. If a wire is breached and tapped anywhere along its length, the signals can be intercepted and retransmitted via wireless anyway. It should be noted, though, that between grids, hosts, IC, spiders, and GODs, corporations are feeling very confident in the security of their wireless networks. This means that runners are only likely to encounter wired security in the hands of the exceedingly protective or paranoid.

[Xenon]

Plugging a wireless-off gun via a wire into your datajack does not connect the gun to ANYTHING except your datajack.

Actually, this is one of the two supported methods of connecting a smartgun system.

SR5 p. 433 Smartgun Systems
The smartgun features are accessed either by universal access port cable to an imaging device (like glasses, goggles, or a datajack for someone with cybereyes) or by a wireless connection working in concert with direct neural interface.

Of course it does not give you access to all the wireless bonuses (like ejecting clip or changing firing mode as a free action, positive dice pool modifier, ignore one level of wind, both bonuses when taking aim etc), but it does let you use the onboard camera to fire around corners without exposing yourself, keep track of ammunition, heat buildup, and material stress which give you an accuracy bonus of 2 and it also let you switch between gun modes, eject a clip (as a simple action, you need to connect wireless to do it as a free action), and fire the gun without pulling the trigger.

Now, since the datajack is presumably wireless-on, that's how the gun is talking to your smartlink and etc.

SR5 p. 451 Augmentation
Besides their wireless functionality, almost all cyberware devices are equipped with a neural interface (not to be confused with DNI) that lets you mentally activate and control their functions. You can use this in place of wireless control, preventing wireless hacking, as long as all of the “moving parts” are connected to your nervous system. An item that has a wireless bonus, however, can only gain that full level of functionality if wireless functionality is active.

And if you used an internal router, then the wired connection still opens the gun up to remote/wireless hacking via your internal router.

In this edition you don't gain matrix connection via proxy and you can't hack items via proxy.

If your smartgun is wireless disabled then it cannot be wireless hacked (even if it is connected to a wireless enabled datajack or if you have a wireless enabled internal router).

You also don't gain wireless bonuses if your smartgun is wireless disabled (no matter if your have a wireless enabled datajack or wireless enabled internal router).

A wireless enabled internal router give you wireless bonuses even if your cyberware (in this case your cybereyes and datajack) are wireless disabled, your external devices (in this case your smartgun) still need to be wireless enabled and connected to the matrix as a whole if you want to benefit from their wireless bonuses. The internal router does only act as a proxy for your internal cyberware, not also for your external devices.