Intrusion Countermeasures Electronics is a term used in cyberpunk literature to refer to security programs which protect computerized data from being accessed by hackers.
When viewed in a cyberspace virtual reality environment, these constructs are often represented by actual walls of ice, stone, or metal. Black ICE refers to ICE that are capable of killing the intruder if deemed necessary or appropriate; some forms of black ICE may be artificially intelligent.
Real-world usage
Though real-life firewalls, anti-virus software and similar programs fall under this classification, the term has little real world significance and remains primarily a science fiction concept. This can be attributed to the fact that using the term "electronics" to describe software products is something of a misnomer. On the other hand, there is a strong connection between real-world cybercrime and cyberpunk literature. "The Gibsonian concept of cyberspace fed back into both computer and information systems design and theory," wrote Roger Burrows. The term ICE has occasionally been used for real-world software:
Ghost in the Shell, where ICE is referred to directly by name or else as an 'Offensive Firewall'.
Cartoons
Phantom 2040, though in it "ICE" stands for "Integrated Cyber Environment", referring to cyberspace, rather than Intrusion Countermeasures Electronics
Card games
Netrunner, where the corporate player uses ICE and the runner player uses icebreakers; while corps in Netrunner understand ICE to be an acronym for "Intrusion Countermeasures Electronics", the runner viewpoint is that the acronym should be for "Insidious Cortical Electrocution"
, an adaptation of the original Netrunner, formerly a Living Card Game.
Hacker and Hacker II - The Dark Side, where the players attempt to gain illicit access systems represented by playing cards arranged in a network while avoiding getting zapped by ICE and Black ICE.
Literature
Neuromancer, original popularizer of the term
Count Zero the second novel of William Gibson's "Sprawl trilogy"
Hyperion, wherein black ICE is used to defend the TechnoCore
Trouble and Her Friends by Melissa Scott, wherein IC refers to Intrusion Countermeasures, solving the problem of implying that the measures are hardware-based
Roleplaying games
Cyberpunk 2020, upon which the Netrunnercard game is based
GURPS Cyberpunk
Shadowrun, called IC but is colloquially named "Ice" by hackers in the setting.
Movies
Johnny Mnemonic, mentioned in the opening crawl.
Track Down, wherein a friend of Kevin Mitnick says in a club that he is the hacker known as "IceBreaker"
Television
Babylon 5, in the episode "Born to the Purple"
Max Headroom, in the episode "Security Systems", April 21, 1987
Video games
Anarchy Online features an item called "Hacker ICE-Breaker Source", which can be further upgraded to "Intrusion Countermeasure Electronics Upgrade".
BloodNet uses the term to describe the technology the player must overcome when hacking a computer system.
Deus Ex, where the player's hacking program is referred to as an "ICE Breaker"
Dystopia, wherein there are security programs called "ICE walls"
Mr. Robot, where "ICE" in its RPG part refers to shields or armor that can be attacked by various "ICE breaker"s
Neuromancer, where ICE, BlackICE, and ICE Breaking are highly featured.
Perfect Dark Zero, where players use ICE technology to bypass security.
Project Snowblind, features an ICE pick, to hack enemy cameras, turrets, and robots and use them against enemy forces.
Ripper has the player break into various cyberspace systems, which involves fighting the "ICE" security programs in the form of a rail shooter.
, an item called "ICE Breaker" can be obtained and used as a hacking tool during a sequence on the Leviathan, in which the player chooses one character to remain behind and attempt to rescue the other captured party members.
StarCrawlers features an ability called Black Ice, which the Hacker character may use.
System Shock, where ICE is represented in cyberspace as both autonomous security programs and ICE protection attached to data or software objects appearing as blue crystal formations.
System Shock 2'', where an item that auto-hacks electronics is known as an "ICE-Pick"
Web Comics
Schlock Mercenary, icewalls are a standard security measure.
