Hackers

In 1988, 11-year-old Dade 'Zero Cool' Murphy causes chaos when he crashes 1,507 computer systems in a single day. This unprecedented hacking spree results in a significant 7-point drop on the New York Stock Exchange, leading to Dade facing serious legal repercussions.

Following his legal troubles, Dade is barred from using computers or touch-tone telephones until he turns 18. This restriction shapes his childhood and teenage years, keeping him away from the very technology he is passionate about.

As Dade approaches his 18th birthday, his divorced mother relocates to New York City for better job opportunities. The move marks a new chapter for Dade, bringing him back into contact with computers and the hacking community.

Upon turning 18, Dade executes a clever plan to hack into a local television station. He successfully tricks a security guard into revealing a modem's phone number, showcasing his skills in social engineering and marking his return to hacking.

During his hacking escapades, Dade encounters another hacker known as 'Acid Burn.' Unbeknownst to him, Acid Burn is actually Kate Libby, leading to a rivalry that will shape much of Dade's journey.

Novice hacker Joey Pardella gains notoriety after successfully infiltrating the supercomputer at Ellingson Mineral Company. His bragging about the hack brings unwanted attention and concerns from the company's IT staff.

Eugene 'The Plague' Belford learns about Joey's actions and fears that the download might reveal his own embezzlement. Enlisting the help of the U.S. Secret Service, he fabricates a story about a devastating computer virus to cover his tracks.

In retaliation for Joey's actions, Dade and Kate challenge each other to a hacking duel. Their friends join in the competition, turning the rivalry into a larger group effort that includes various talented hackers.

After Joey is released from custody, he informs Phantom Phreak about a hidden disk containing incriminating information. Realizing the potential danger, the group begins strategizing on how to secure and manage the disk.

The Plague attempts to coerce Dade into helping him find the hacker responsible, first by offering an alluring laptop. When that fails, he threatens Dade's mother, forcing Dade into a reluctant alliance with him.

Dade, Kate, Lord Nikon, and Cereal Killer work tirelessly to uncover the disk's contents. Their efforts reveal that the disk is designed to illegally siphon off $25 million from the company, highlighting the stakes involved.

Using the information they've uncovered, Dade and his friends devise a plan to disrupt Ellingson's operations. They gather crucial documents and passwords while preparing to launch a counter-hack against The Plague.

To strengthen their attack, the group enlists the help of Razor and Blade, hosts of the hacker show 'Hack the Planet.' Their involvement provides the necessary distraction to help Dade execute his plan successfully.

As the hackers launch their cyber offensive, they face initial resistance from The Plague. However, a coordinated distraction from Razor and Blade allows Dade to access the crucial files needed to thwart their enemy.

After the hackers successfully carry out their plan and expose The Plague, Dade and Kate share a romantic moment, culminating in a celebratory rooftop gathering. The group showcases their success by sending a message, 'CRASH AND BURN,' illuminating the city.