The Net

Undersecretary of Defense Michael Bergstrom tragically takes his own life after receiving a positive HIV test result. This event sets off a chain reaction that impacts many lives in the film.

Angela Bennett is introduced as a freelance systems analyst living in Venice, California. Her life is mostly online, as she works remotely for Cathedral Software and has limited face-to-face interactions.

Bennett's coworker Dale sends her a floppy disk containing a backdoor into critical computer systems, marked with a Pi symbol. This discovery becomes pivotal as it reveals vulnerabilities in the security systems protecting major organizations.

Tragically, Dale dies in a private plane crash right before he and Bennett are scheduled to meet. This event leaves Bennett devastated and unaware of the looming dangers surrounding the disk.

Bennett embarks on a 2-week vacation to Cozumel, Mexico, thinking she can escape her troubles. Here, she meets Jack Devlin, who appears charming and shares her interests.

Devlin orchestrates a mugging to steal Bennett's purse containing the vital disk. His deception becomes clear when he chases down the mugger, revealing a darker side to his charming facade.

After realizing Devlin's true intentions, Bennett fights back and tries to escape in a dinghy. However, her escape turns disastrous when the dinghy collides with rocks, resulting in an injury that leaves her unconscious.

Upon waking up, Bennett discovers that her disk is ruined and all records of her life have been deleted. She faces the shocking reality that her identity has been stolen and her life upended.

When Bennett attempts to reconnect with her job at Cathedral Software, she is met with an impostor who offers her old life in exchange for the disk. This encounter solidifies the crisis she is thrust into.

With the help of Alan Champion, Bennett uncovers that Bergstrom was murdered through a tampered HIV test result. This revelation links her to a larger conspiracy involving national security.

Bennett connects with CyberBob, who identifies the Praetorians as a group behind recent cyber failures. They plan to meet to discuss further, but their chat is intercepted by the group, heightening the stakes.

Bennett witnesses the brutal murder of Alan Champion by the Praetorians. They manipulate medical records to carry out their deadly deeds, showcasing their ruthless tactics.

Desperate and running out of options, Bennett infiltrates Cathedral's office and exposes the conspiracy. She connects Gregg Microsystems to the cyberterrorist group, revealing their plan to profit from chaos.

In an intense showdown at the Moscone Center, Bennett confronts Devlin while they battle for control over the Gatekeeper system. This climactic moment leads to unforeseen consequences that will change everything.

In the aftermath, Bennett reunites with her mother as the conspiracy is resolved. The FBI arrests Jeff Gregg during a live broadcast, bringing the story to a satisfying conclusion.