HACKNET v2.4.1 is a terminal-based hacking simulator that immerses you in a realistic cybersecurity challenge. Play as a hacker accepting contracts, exploiting vulnerabilities, escalating privileges, and exfiltrating data—all while avoiding detection. The game features 4 unique contracts, 9 unlockable tools, and a dynamic difficulty system that adapts to your skill level.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  ACCEPT CONTRACT → CONNECT TO TARGET → RECON → EXPLOIT  │
│      → ESCALATE → EXFILTRATE → COVER TRACKS → SUBMIT    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

• Increases with every action (scanning, exploiting, downloading)
• Visual feedback with color-coded progress bar
  • 🟢 0-39%: Safe
  • 🟡 40-59%: Elevated (warning)
  • 🟠 60-79%: High risk (alert)
  • 🔴 80-99%: Critical (toast warning)
  • 💀 100%: Traced — connection burned, reputation loss
• Reduce trace with proxychains or disconnecting

• 5 tiers based on reputation score (0-100)
  • Script Kiddie (0-20) — 🟢 Green
  • Hacker (21-40) — 🔵 Cyan
  • Elite (41-60) — 🟡 Yellow
  • 1337 (61-80) — 🔴 Red
  • Anonymous (81-100) — 🟣 Purple
• Unlocks higher-difficulty contracts
• Affects contract availability and rewards

• Earn credits from completed contracts
• Spend credits on tools in darknet shop
• Partial completion rewards based on objectives done

• Each contract has 3-5 specific objectives
• Track progress in right panel
• Real-time updates when objectives complete
• Contract submission rewards based on completion percentage

• Custom CRT effects with scanlines and vignette
• Matrix-style green (#39ff14) primary color
• Realistic progress bars with percentage animation
• Typing delays for commands and outputs
• ASCII art boot sequence with HACKNET logo
• Command history with arrow key navigation
• Ctrl+K shortcut to focus terminal

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  HACKNET v2.4.1         darknet [enc]  anonymous  ████  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ┌────────────┐  ┌────────────────────┐  ┌────────────┐ │
│  │ DARKNET    │  │ TERMINAL           │  │ STATUS     │ │
│  │ BOARD      │  │ $ nmap -sV         │  │ Trace: 23% │ │
│  │ [1] HARD   │  │ PORT  SERVICE      │  │ Objectives │ │
│  │ [2] EASY   │  │ 22    ssh          │  │ ✓ Scan     │ │
│  │ [3] HARD   │  │ 80    http         │  │ ○ Exploit  │ │
│  │ [4] ▲ LOCK │  │ 3306  mysql        │  │ ○ Escalate │ │
│  └────────────┘  └────────────────────┘  └────────────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

hacknet@darknet:~$ contracts

View available jobs with difficulty, reward, and reputation requirements.

hacknet@darknet:~$ accept 1

Accept your first contract (Acme Corp). Note the target IP.

hacknet@darknet:~$ connect 192.168.45.23

Establish an encrypted tunnel to the target.

hacknet@darknet:~$ nmap -sV

Scan for open ports and services. Identify vulnerabilities.

hacknet@darknet:~$ searchsploit apache 2.4.41
hacknet@darknet:~$ exploit CVE-2021-41773

Find and run an exploit to gain initial access.

hacknet@acme.corp:~$ ls
hacknet@acme.corp:~$ cat config.php
hacknet@acme.corp:~$ sudo su -

Navigate the filesystem, find credentials, escalate to root.

hacknet@acme.corp:~$ download Q4_Product_Roadmap.pdf

Download target files. Monitor trace level increases.

hacknet@acme.corp:~$ cover_tracks

Overwrite logs and clear history to avoid detection.

hacknet@darknet:~$ submit

Return to darknet, submit completed objectives, collect reward.

Every action increases your trace level:

• nmap: +5%
• exploit: +8%
• sudo: +10%
• download: +12%
• mysql: +8%
• Failed commands: +2-3%

Trace Reduction Methods:

• proxychains: -25% (requires tool purchase)
• Disconnecting: -1% every 3 seconds when offline
• cover_tracks: -20% (after logs cleared)

Each target has a realistic filesystem:

• / — Root directory
• /root — Root home (requires root access)
• /var/log — System logs
• /etc — Configuration files
• /home — User directories
• Custom contract-specific directories

Targets run actual services with versions:

• Apache 2.4.41 (vulnerable to CVE-2021-41773)
• OpenSSH 7.9
• MySQL 8.0.28
• SMB (Windows 10)
• nginx 1.18
• Tomcat 9.0
• SWIFT GPI 2.0

• Fonts: Share Tech Mono and VT323 for pixel-perfect terminal feel
• Colors: Matrix green (#39ff14) primary, with yellow warnings, red errors
• CRT Effects: Scanlines, vignette, phosphor glow
• Animations: Progress bars, blinking LEDs, scan line sweeps
• Cursor: Custom circular cursor with dot (mouse-follow)

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│          HACKNET Game Engine         │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                     │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────┐   │
│  │      Game State (STATE)      │   │
│  │  • credits                   │   │
│  │  • reputation                 │   │
│  │  • trace                      │   │
│  │  • connected                  │   │
│  │  • activeContract             │   │
│  │  • objectives                 │   │
│  │  • tools                      │   │
│  └─────────────────────────────┘   │
│                                     │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────┐   │
│  │      Data Layer             │   │
│  │  • CONTRACTS (4)            │   │
│  │  • TOOLS_SHOP (9)           │   │
│  │  • REP_TIERS (5)            │   │
│  └─────────────────────────────┘   │
│                                     │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────┐   │
│  │      Command Parser         │   │
│  │  • 25+ commands             │   │
│  │  • argument validation      │   │
│  │  • async operations         │   │
│  └─────────────────────────────┘   │
│                                     │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────┐   │
│  │      UI Renderer            │   │
│  │  • terminal output          │   │
│  │  • contract list            │   │
│  │  • objectives               │   │
│  │  • trace bar                │   │
│  │  • toast notifications      │   │
│  │  • modal dialogs            │   │
│  └─────────────────────────────┘   │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

// Core game loop
processCommand(cmd)          // Parse and execute user commands
addTrace(amount)             // Increase trace level, check thresholds
completeObjective(id)        // Mark objective as complete
updateTrace()                // Update trace bar visualization
triggerTraced()              // Handle 100% trace (game over event)

// Contract system
cmdAccept(args)              // Accept contract by ID
cmdConnect(args)             // Connect to target
cmdDisconnect()              // Drop connection
cmdSubmit()                  // Submit completed contract

// Recon commands
cmdNmap()                    // Port scan with service enumeration
cmdSearchsploit()            // Search exploit database

// Exploitation
cmdExploit()                  // Run specific CVE exploit
cmdHydra()                    // Brute-force attack
cmdSqlmap()                   // SQL injection
cmdSudo()                     // Privilege escalation

// Post-exploitation
cmdLs()                       // List files
cmdCat()                      // Read files
cmdCd()                       // Change directory
cmdDownload()                  // Exfiltrate files
cmdMysql()                    // Database access

// Evasion
cmdCoverTracks()              // Clear logs, reduce trace
cmdProxy()                    // Route through proxies

// UI helpers
showToast()                   // Notification system
showModal()                   // Modal dialog system
printProgress()                // Animated progress bar

// Contract object
{
  id: 'c1',
  title: 'Acme Corp — Data Exfiltration',
  diff: 'hard',
  diffLabel: 'HARD',
  reward: 15000,
  repReward: 20,
  targetIp: '192.168.45.23',
  services: [
    { port: 80, service: 'http', version: 'Apache 2.4.41' }
  ],
  vulns: ['CVE-2021-41773'],
  files: {
    '~': ['index.html', 'config.php'],
    '/root': ['Q4_Product_Roadmap.pdf']
  },
  fileContents: {
    'config.php': ['$db_pass = "root";']
  },
  objectives: [
    { id: 'scan', text: 'Scan open ports' }
  ]
}

// Tool object
{
  id: 'nmap',
  name: 'nmap',
  cost: 0,
  desc: 'Port scanner'
}

• Load Time: < 1.2 seconds (zero external dependencies)
• Memory Usage: < 35 MB
• CPU Usage: Minimal (event-driven)
• Network: Zero requests after initial load

HACKNET is a completely safe educational game:

• ✅ No actual hacking or network connections
• ✅ All simulations run in browser memory
• ✅ No data collection or tracking
• ✅ No external dependencies
• ✅ Pure HTML/CSS/JavaScript
• ✅ Educational purposes only — learn ethical hacking methodology

MIT License — see LICENSE file for details.

• Hack The Box — Inspiration for CTF-style challenges
• TryHackMe — Educational penetration testing methodology
• Kali Linux — Toolset inspiration
• MITRE ATT&CK — Exploit and vulnerability framework
• OWASP — Web application security concepts
• Cyberpunk 2077 — Terminal aesthetic inspiration

• GitHub Issues: Create an issue
• Website: https://willie-conway.github.io/HACKNET/

• Add more contracts (5-10 total)
• Multiplayer leaderboard
• Custom contract builder
• Advanced firewall evasion minigames
• Real-time network traffic visualization
• SSH key-based authentication puzzles
• Buffer overflow exploitation minigame
• Achievement system
• Dark mode / light mode toggle
• Sound effects (optional)

🕵️ HACKNET v2.4.1 — Become the Ultimate Darknet Operative 🕵️

Last updated: March 2026