There are more than 800,000 TV shows for a user to choose from, and trust me, this is a huge library. They also come in different genres and for someone who is into cybersecurity and tech, chances are you might have seen some shows that may not be in the list of all-time favourites due to their specific direction, but are definitely worth your time. Some of these TV shows are based on real events or show a real depiction of the actual cybersecurity world in a satirical way for anyone to enjoy.
These shows have mostly become popular since people have always wondered what goes on in the cybersecurity space, how cybercrimes occur, and how they are prevented. In this blog, we are going to look at four TV shows for those in cybersecurity and tech.
CSI: Cyber (2015–2016)
CSI: Cyber is at the top of the list for those looking to get started with tech shows or are into cybersecurity. The show has a flagship cast headed by Special Agent Avery Ryan played by Patricia Arquette. It also has a simple plot; the team confronts many cybercrimes from data breaches to digital espionage and shows the evolving nature of cybercrimes in this digital age.
We can also see how the show presents the need for cybersecurity measures in many of its episodes. For example, in an episode titled “The Walking Dead”, the team investigates a hacker who has hacked their electronic death registration system to falsely declare witnesses as dead and manipulate their court testimonies. When the team tries to locate the hacker, he uses a series of cloaking techniques to hide his location.
It’s interesting to see how these series influence real-life decisions, as cybersecurity professionals, aware of similar malicious actions, take measures to protect their platforms using valuable software, such as proxy servers that help secure networks, prevent cyberattacks, and ensure safe internet communication.
Unfortunately, the series ended in 2016, when online proxy server providers were not as popular as they are today; otherwise, it would probably have covered more of this particular topic, exploring various angles, especially today, as incidents continue to rise.
Moreover, the rise of cyberattacks gave people more reason to be interested in a series like CSI: Cyber to look at solutions to increase their user protection. This is one of the reasons why proxy service providers are widely regarded as a good way of protection against online fraud and hacking.
Mr. Robot
Mr. Robot follows the life of Elliot Alderson and portrays his hacking abilities along with his interactions with the real world, showing his mental health and split personality disorders in saving lives and destroying corporations.
This series is particularly good for people who are more into hacking than just tech since it has a real depiction of hacking based on reviews from real-life hackers. In one scene, Elliot breaks into a prison’s network to exploit a corrections officer’s Bluetooth connection. He initiates a scan for any active Bluetooth device and identifies an officer’s laptop.
For tech people who are already familiar with the lingo, he then uses a tactic called MAC address spoofing to impersonate the laptop’s keyboard to gain access to the system. It shows how Bluetooth is still a vulnerable tech that can be exploited if devices are weak. The scene also gives importance to protecting peripheral connections to prevent any form of unauthorized access.
Silicon Valley
For a more satirical take on the tech startup world, Silicon Valley is definitely a good choice. It focuses on the hilarious journey of the tech entrepreneurs, their dynamics, and the startup “Pied Piper” that tries to fit in with California’s tech hub. The show gives viewers a glimpse of the challenges behind running a startup such as innovation, intellectual property disputes, and venture capital investments.
Black Mirror
Black Mirror is more of a futuristic take on the standard tech series. It shows the potential consequences of technological advancements by presenting a standalone narrative in each episode that is set in a dystopian future.
It looks into themes such as artificial intelligence, surveillance, and the removal of personal privacy.? For example, one episode titled “Shut Up and Dance” shows how hackers can blackmail individuals with their personal information. It shows the persuasive nature of cyber threats and how there are ethical dilemmas with privacy and data security.
Exploring Cybersecurity Through Entertainment
Cybersecurity is no longer just a simple theme that is kept aside. Many shows in this digital age now focus on creating accurate depictions of cybersecurity that are both educational and entertaining to the common person.