In the computer age, hackers are king! However, their kingdom is usually a desk in a darkened office filled with soda and snacks. But according to the movies, hacking is one of the coolest, craziest and most dangerous jobs out there. However, even action-hero hackers like Chris Hemsworth in Blackhat have to follow the rules.

 

Office Space (1999): Steal Ideas from the Movies

Like an artist, it’s important for a hacker to steal/borrow from the best! So look to other movies for inspiration and pick and choose what works for you. Just be careful! If you choose to emulate the evil scheme from Superman III (yes, the one with Richard Pryor) like the folks in Office Space, make sure your coding is up to snuff. Otherwise, you’ll get get caught and be forever known as the dolts who tried to mimic Superman III.

 

The Matrix (1999): Dress to Impress

Hacking is a very solitary activity that can be accomplished in pajamas... or even in the nude. No one’s judging! But make sure you have a proper wardrobe on hand. You never know when your hacking activities will expose the world to be a computer illusion and force you into action. And trust us, you’d look awfully silly fight Agent Smith in your underwear.

 

Jurassic Park (1993): You’ve Got to Have an Annoying Animation

What’s the point of being a hacker if your enemies don’t know that it was you who foiled them? The movies are filled with great animations and icons created by hackers to let their victims know they’ve been there, but few have been carved into popular culture quite like that of the bumbling Dennis Nedry. Yes, now you’re going to have “You didn’t say the magic word!” stuck in your head for the next hour.

 

The Social Network (2010): Let Your Rage Fuel You

We cannot endorse what Jesse Eisenberg does in the early scenes of The Social Network, but we can endorse his source of fuel. His Mark Zuckerberg builds the foundation that later becomes Facebook by focusing his rage and disappointment from being dumped by his girlfriend to hack his university’s network. The big trick: build something that doesn’t get you labeled a sexist troublemaker... unless that’s what you want.

 

Skyfall (2012): You’re Going to Need a Personal Island

Yeah, you could build your empire from a laptop in your bedroom, but why stop there? As Javier Bardem’s nasty Bond baddie proves, having your own private island filled to bursting with all of the equipment, servers and henchmen you’ll ever need is a far more attractive option. The only problem is finding a way to empty an island. Don’t ask us! You’re on your own with that one.

 

TRON (1982): Try to Avoid Getting Sucked into a Computer

A lot of things can go wrong when you go a-hacking. You can get caught and arrested. You can uncover something that never needed to be seen. Or you could get sucked into your computer and forced to compete in gladiatorial lightcycle races. That may be exactly what you’re after when you begin your hacking career, but we just ask you to be careful. Okay?

 

WarGames (1983): Don’t Start World War III

Do you understand what happens when you hack into a top-secret government computer and get the A.I. that runs the country’s nuclear arsenal all hot and bothered? For your sake and ours, please don’t start a thermonuclear war. We have too much to live for! And you have so many other things to hack!

 

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011): When in Doubt, Give the Hard Work to Your Sidekick

We get it. You don’t get this whole computer thing. Code is a different language to you. You sometimes get confused by Google and Facebook. That’s okay. That just means you aren’t the hacker. No, you’re the older hero who has a hacker parter/sidekick to do all of that 21st century gobbledygook. If Daniel Craig has no problem giving the heavy lifting to Rooney Mara, then you shouldn’t either!

 

Swordfish (2001): Learn How to Work Under Pressure

If you’re going to get serious about this hacking business, you have to be able to work under extreme pressure. And by extreme pressure, we really mean “working alongside a truly crazy John Travolta as he forces you to do morally objectionable things while threatening your life.” Seriously. You really shouldn’t be getting into business with crazy Travoltas as it is, but if you have to, just make sure you’re prepared.

 

Hackers (1995): Use Your Powers for Good, Not Evil

Don’t be an evil hacker -- be the person who uses their skills for more righteous causes. Why? It’s simple: because the good guys always win in the movies. But you already knew that.