The Matrix Guide for Dummies, Part III

The Anubis Interviews: System Identification Numbers

In the June 30th issue of On-Line Magazine I posted my first interview with the infamous and much sought after decker, Anubis. At first the editors of On-Line Magazine were a bit concerned with the tremendous cost involved for this single interview, but after an avalanche of email they decided that a follow up was in order.

Acting on the advice of my wise and powerful editors, I contacted Anubis once again for a follow up interview, and inquired about the possibility of a series of articles. To my surprise, Anubis agreed to the series for a much more reasonable fee than I had anticipated.

On-Line Magazine: Thank you once again for agreeing to this series of interviews. The first interview was such an overwhelming success that my editors were very eager to follow up on it. I have a vast array of questions for you that were sent in by our readers. I hope you don’t mind answering a few of them.

Anubis: Not at all. I’m glad that a few of your readers found the initial interview to be of some value.

On-Line Magazine: During our last session you mentioned creating and deleting SIN numbers. We’ve had a lot of questions in this area. How exactly does one create a SIN?

Anubis: In order to create a SIN, one must first understand how a SIN actually functions within the matrix. The SIN works basically as a large index, storing relational dates and data to all of the activities that it logs. Utilizing one’s SIN number is a very fast and efficient way of retrieving data in the matrix.

On-Line Magazine: So your SIN stores all of the data about you on the matrix?

Anubis: Not exactly. Your SIN merely functions as an index, pointing to all of the data files in question. An entry in a standard SIN will generally look something like this:

    7/1/97  16:38  LightFinger Enterprises Credit Union : Transaction 44728  83-492371  9342-9348

The first two entries indicate the date and time of the transaction. The third entry is a brief description of the transaction itself, the fourth entry is the corresponding LTG# on which the transaction is logged and the last entry represents the file blocks which store the actual data. This particular entry comes from your SIN, and represents your last paycheck from Lightfinger Enterprises. The SIN doesn’t actually store the details of the transaction, it merely provides an easy method of retrieving it.

On-Line Magazine: So by accessing a SIN you can easily access all of the datafiles that relate to a single individual on the matrix, but the SIN itself only works as a link to those files?

Anubis: Precisely. Your SIN functions as a large index of data files, and allows a decker to very quickly accumulate large stores of data on a subject. That is why the SIN itself is generally stored in only secure locations.

On-Line Magazine: Where is the SIN normally stored?

Anubis: It depends on the importance of the subject in question. Most wageslaves and lower level executives’ SINs are stored in two places, on a corporate secure server of the corporation they work for, and on a government secure server of the local area government, where applicable. The higher level executives and VIPs are generally only stored on Ultrasecure servers, and usually only in one location.

On-Line Magazine: So the more important the individual, the harder it becomes to access their SIN?

Anubis: Exactly.

On-Line Magazine: It is my understanding that most shadowrunners at some time or another have their old SIN deleted. So how does one go about deleting a SIN?

Anubis: There are several different methods actually. The easiest and most common of which is called

Anubis: There are several different methods actually. The easiest and most common of which is called ghosting. You basically change a flag in the SIN to mark the client as deceased. As long as the client no longer uses the SIN in question, as far as the matrix is concerned the client is dead.

On-Line Magazine: Why is that easier than simply deleting the file?

Anubis: Because you don’t actually have to access the SIN directly to do so. All you need to do is send the SIN an update and it will mark the person deceased. The advantage is you don’t have to access the corporate or government secure server directly to delete the SIN. It has a much lower risk factor. The disadvantage is that all of the information about the client still exists on the matrix, this trick merely makes the system think the client is dead. If the corp that they used to work for is given reason to think otherwise, all of the data on the client still exists for them to access. This is the least effective, and least expensive form of SIN deletion.

On-Line Magazine: I see, so as long as that person keeps a low profile and doesn’t let their presence be known, everyone simply assumes they are dead. So what other forms of SIN deletion are used?

Anubis: The second method is a far better alternative, but also has a lot higher risk factor for the decker in question. This is commonly referred to as scrambling among my colleagues. You go in and delete the SIN itself, the index file. This does require you to penetrate the corporate and government servers in question, but is more effective than ghosting. This method removes the SIN file from the matrix, making it much more difficult to access any other data in existence on a person as there is no index to them. If you wanted to retrieve data about someone whose SIN had been scrambled, you would have to start searching through every nook and cranny of the matrix with no signposts to follow. It becomes very time consuming and difficult to find data on someone whose SIN has been scrambled. Requests for data using the person’s SIN number simply return an error message from the server in question.

On-Line Magazine: So scrambling is better than ghosting, so I assume probably more expensive as well. What other methods exist?

Anubis: There are two other methods commonly used for SIN deletion. The third method is called cloning. You take the SIN number from one individual and switch it with that of the client. It is preferable to use someone who is deceased for this purpose, as an active SIN would be far more noticeable than one that is no longer updated. This method can be very effective, since anyone using the SIN from the client will get back false data about someone that has been dead for years.

On-Line Magazine: So the data still exists about them on the matrix, it just becomes almost impossible to find? What is the last method?

Anubis: [Laughs] Cloning doesn’t make the data impossible to find, merely very difficult. It is slightly more effective than scrambling, as it convinces anyone looking at the SIN that the data is indeed there. They are simply looking at the wrong data. The last method is called nuking. When you “nuke” a SIN, you delete the index files and all of the other data that is indexed within the file. You remove any reference to the client within the matrix. This is by far the most effective form of SIN deletion, but it is very difficult and time consuming, and can involve a high level of risk for the decker. Thus nuking is not a common method of SIN deletion and is also very, very expensive.

On-Line Magazine: So which method do you generally use?

Anubis: I use nuking exclusively. My clientele is very specialized, and are the sort of people that are willing to pay for premium service.

On-Line Magazine: [Laughs] That would explain your fees. So that covers SIN deletion, what about SIN creation?

Anubis: SIN creation is in many ways more difficult than deletion. To create a SIN, you first have to manufacture all of the data that the SIN would contain, upload it to the proper servers, and then create the SIN file itself. The biggest downfall of most false SIN is what is referred to as the amnesia effect.

On-Line Magazine: The amnesia effect?

Anubis: [Laughs] Yes, the amnesia effect. Think about how often your SIN is used in an average month. The index file is constantly being updated by all manner of transactions. When you’re using a false SIN, it is not generally used anywhere near as much as a real one. As a result, you get large time index gaps in the file, and anyone looking at it begins to notice inconsistencies. This is how most false SIN are determined as being fictional.

On-Line Magazine: So how does one avoid the amnesia effect?

Anubis: Regular maintenance on a false SIN is critical if you wish to keep it current and usable. This normally involves a nominal fee from the decker in question, but it is well worth the nuyen. If you fail to maintain your false SIN, it degrades quickly over time, making it easy to spot as a facsimile.

On-Line Magazine: So you not only need to pay the decker to create the SIN, but to keep it updated as well?

Anubis: Precisely. But the updating is a fairly simple and non-intrusive function that generally has a much lower cost than initial creation.

On-Line Magazine: So when you create a false SIN, where is it stored?

Anubis: Primarily on a government secure server, unless you also want the SIN to reflect that you work for a particular corporation that actually exists, in which case you need to upload a copy to the corporation in question as well.

On-Line Magazine: Wouldn’t the corporation eventually determine that the SIN was a false one?

Anubis: You would think so, but it doesn’t happen often. Look at how many wageslaves your average corp employs. It’s almost impossible to keep track of them all. Once again you run into a situation of data overload. As long as you don’t do anything to attract attention to yourself in the system, that false SIN can exist for years and never be discovered.

On-Line Magazine: So in addition to the index itself, what other things must you create in order to make a convincing SIN?

Anubis: It depends entirely on what type of identity you wish to assume. Most false SIN are created with fictional persona of an independent businessman or consultant that does freelance security work for corporations. This provides an adequate cover for most shadowrunners since they tend to be slightly better armed than your average citizen. I’ve had a few clients that wanted to be able to purchase certain items from arms manufacturers or security companies directly. This requires a bit more work, as you need to falsify a lot of credentials and end user certificates. This can also be a risky proposition for the client, as if the corp does decide to double check on the sale they might send a security team to the delivery address along with the next delivery. It doesn’t happen often, but it is a risk you take when purchasing such items using a false SIN in an attempt to look legitimate.

On-Line Magazine: What other documents can be added to a false SIN?

Anubis: The standard package includes permits for weapons and cyberware, so if you do pass through a security checkpoint they appear to be legal modifications. The larger or more illegal modifications and weapons require a much more extensive SIN to explain them, and are generally a lot more difficult to forge permits for. This means they are more expensive. Other packages might include passport and travel authorizations, lines of credit, vehicular registration, Security End User certificates, Military End user certificates, diplomas and degrees, or any number of other credentials to make one’s life a little easier.

On-Line Magazine: So the more involved the SIN, the better it is to use for identification, but the harder it is to create and maintain. How vital is it to have a false SIN?

Anubis: It is critical to have at least one false SIN. Remember, without a SIN you can’t even rent an apartment. I generally recommend to my clients that they maintain several false SIN, so that they can record different transactions on each and no one SIN has all of the data on the client in question. For instance, if you were to rent your apartment with one false SIN, it’s inadvisable to use this SIN in connection with any other shadow activities. If you do and Lonestar or some other official agency takes notice of the false SIN, they now have your real address. This can be disconcerting to say the least.

On-Line Magazine: I can imagine. So what other advice do you have for those wishing to maintain a false SIN?

Anubis: Don’t scrimp. It may be more expensive to get the better SIN, but it’s well worth it in the long run. Better to pay a few thousand nuyen extra to get the whole package than to suddenly be stranded at the airport and realize you won’t make it through security because you don’t have the proper permits on your SIN.

On-Line Magazine: One last question, do you have a false SIN?

Anubis: [Laughs] Not in the manner you might expect. But then again, technically I’m not a shadowrunner.

On-Line Magazine: I was under the impression that you ran the shadows. Do you mean to say you’re retired?

Anubis: Not retired exactly. I no longer run overwatch functions for shadowruns, but I do on occasion exercise my talents in data retrieval. My matrix persona and my real life persona are completely separate. I never mix the two. As a result, I don’t have the need for a false SIN, at least in the fashion you might consider a SIN false.

On-Line Magazine: You mean to say that in all the years you ran, no one ever saw your face?

Anubis: [Laughs] I realize it’s a bit hard to believe, but in all that time only one man has managed to bridge the gap between my matrix persona and my real life persona. Of course he’s a rather exceptional man, and a very good friend. Years ago when I was actually running I did everything via the matrix. If I needed to speak to someone in the party, I’d simply place the phone call from within the matrix and discuss everything I needed to with them as my matrix persona.

On-Line Magazine: Why the extreme need for secrecy?

Anubis: Secrets are my province young man, that is why I am called Anubis.

On-Line Magazine: I thought Anubis was the Egyptian god of the dead?

Anubis: That, and more. He was the guardian of tombs and the keeper of secrets.

On-Line Magazine: Interesting. So I infer that you have made some rather powerful enemies over the years.

Anubis: Actually young man, I haven’t. That is the whole point. I don’t leave a trail to follow. Although rumors abound as to what operations I actually took part in, no one can prove or disprove that I might have been involved in any of the runs I have allegedly done. Given the fact that those who might have been irritated by my alleged activities cannot be certain that I was even involved coupled with the high degree of difficulty involved in finding me, I’m simply not worth bothering with from their point of view. This allows me to live my life in the safety of anonymity.

On-Line Magazine: Is this why you become so evasive whenever I ask for any information about you as a person, or about former operations in which you may have taken part?

Anubis: [Laughs] For you young man it is being evasive, for me it is a way of life. I only give answers to questions of a technical nature, or on those dealing with procedure. I have spent the majority of my life as an apparition. I am quite comfortable with this role.

On-Line Magazine: But doesn’t this series of interviews place you in the limelight?

Anubis: [Laughs] To a certain extent. But you must remember the overwhelmingly delightful thing about human nature. There are still those who would deny my existence, claiming you merely made up this entire interview. Since they cannot see and touch me, I become unreal.

On-Line Magazine: And it doesn’t bother you that people believe you don’t exist?

Anubis: Bother me? Quite the contrary young man, it gives me the security I need to live my life without looking over my shoulder constantly. The biggest mistake I see most shadowrunners make is that they are too obvious in their methods. You need to be covert. Large weapons and a high body count attract far too much attention. Be quiet and efficient. You’ll live a lot longer and make a lot more money.

On-Line Magazine: So you would recommend to all deckers that they remain separate from their party, and make contact only through the matrix?

Anubis: No, young man, I wouldn’t. This way of life has its drawbacks as well. In my case it is a necessity, for reasons that as you can imagine I am unwilling to explain. Suffice to say that you should be careful with whom you deal with and remain as anonymous as the situation permits. Common sense is the only acceptable substitute for experience.

On-Line Magazine: [Laughs] I’m sensing that this is my cue to end this portion of our interview.

Anubis: [Laughs] You are a very perceptive young man.