At the beginning of The Matrix (1999), Neo (Thomas Anderson) is involved in hacking and other illegal cyber activities. By day, he works as a regular employee at a software company, but by night, he operates as a hacker under the alias “Neo.” He engages in activities such as:
- Illegally hacking into systems: Neo is shown at his computer, actively involved in bypassing security measures to gain unauthorized access to systems.
- Selling illegal software: There’s a scene early in the movie where he meets a client at his apartment, handing over a hidden stash of hacked software, which suggests he makes money through these illicit activities.
The object Neo hands over looks like a mini-disc, which had around 140 MB of storage.
What Could It Be?
- Executable hacking software: Neo likely stored hacking tools or exploits that allow access to restricted systems. These tools can include keyloggers, password crackers, or network intrusion programs.
- Encryption keys or access codes: Alternatively, the software could have contained encrypted data, such as login credentials or access codes that would allow the buyer to break into secure systems.
This behavior establishes Neo’s role as someone searching for the truth about the Matrix, which leads him to encounters with characters like Morpheus, and eventually being “unplugged” from the simulated reality.