The 2.0 update in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty introduced new ways to avoid getting hacked, including new perks to counter netrunners. Read on to learn how to avoid getting hacked, the list of hacks that enemies can use, and ways to counter them.

Major Hacking Changes in Update 2.0

New Perks from the 2.0 Update

The 2.0 update also introduced perks that help you counter any attacks from enemy netrunners. Counter-A-Hack, for example, can help you hack back any enemies who attempts to hack you behind walls. You can unlock this perk from the Intelligence Attribute.

2.0 Perks and Skill Tree Guide

Improved Enemy Netrunner Combat AI

Along with the new perks, the 2.0 update also enhanced combat AI against enemy netrunners. These foes can now hack you even without a direct line of sight, provided their allies detect you first. This rule also applies to cameras once you're detected.

Additionally, enemies can now quickly detect you when you sprint or walk near them. This can allow enemy netrunners to hack you if you're not careful, so be sure to hide effectively to avoid getting hacked.

Combat AI Overhaul: All Known Changes

How to Avoid Being Hacked

When an enemy hacker attempts to hack you, a loading bar will appear on the screen, showing how close the Hack is to being uploaded and taking effect. When this happens, don't panic! Follow these easy steps below to avoid letting the Hack take effect.

1. Find the Enemy Hacker Using Scan
2. Attack them to Disrupt the Hack
3. Disable Their Line-of-Sight

Find the Enemy Hacker Using Scan

In order to identify the enemy hacking you, you'll want to switch into Scan Mode (L1 or LB on controller, Tab/Caps Lock on PC) and survey the environment. Look around until you find a yellow rope-like line as shown in the picture above. This line connects you to your Hacker, be they close or far away.

When you are in the middle of scanning an enemy in Scan Mode, time will slow down, so this will provide a chance to evaluate the situation as well.

Attack them to Disrupt the Hack

Now that you've identified your hacker, you'll want to determine the next step in taking them down.

If the enemy is visible and not obscured by walls, you'll be able to Quickhack them directly. Using a damaging Quickhack like Short Circuit is best.

Any attack to the enemy will interrupt the Hack, but Quickhacks are the easiest way, as hackers are usually far away and Quickhacks will allow you to hit without worrying about accuracy.

Use the Counter-A-Hack Perk

Counter-A-Hack can help you detect obscured or hidden enemy netrunners and use quickhacks on them, even without line-of-sight. You can get this perk under the Intelligence attribute, along with a plethora of other perks that can help enhance your netrunning skills.

Use a Tech Weapon to Hit the Hacker Through Walls

Tech Weapons offer a unique advantage in dealing with enemy netrunners.These weapons allow you to effectively target enemies hidden behind walls or any obstacles, making them perfect for taking down enemy hackers you can't see.

List of Tech Weapons

Disable Their Line-of-Sight

If the enemy is obscured by a wall, your situation is a bit more difficult. Trying to move around to get a direct line of sight on the hacker will usually take too long.

Your best solution is to try to use Camera Control on a nearby camera. This will give you access to the complete camera network, and by switching between the different cameras, you'll likely be able to find the hacker, who will still be shown together with the yellow hacking line. From here, use a damaging Quickhack like Short Circuit to interrupt the attack remotely.

List of Enemy Quickhacks

Fortunately, enemies don't have access to all the powerful Quickhacks available to the player. Hacks used by enemies tend to deal more minor damage, but are still a nuisance. Be familiar with them before you face them in combat.

Overheat

This Hack inflicts the Burn status on the player, causing damage for several seconds. It can typically be weathered with a Maxdoc Mk.1.

Overheat Quickhack

Take Control

The 2.0 Update now allows you to use 'Take Control' on any available vehicles. This feature is also applicable to enemy netrunners, who can use this quickhack on you to prevent you from controlling your car.

Take Control Quickhack

Cyberware Malfunction

Enemies, especially Maxtac netrunners, will also frequently use Cyberware Malfunction on you. With the recent update to combat AI, facing the Maxtac squad has become much more challenging, so make sure you're always prepared when battling them.

Cyberware Malfunction Quickhack

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Related Guides

Tips and Tricks Guides

All Tips and Tricks Guides

2.0 and Phantom Liberty Guides

• How to Get Vehicles for Free
• All Phantom Liberty Endings
• How to Get the Tower Ending
• How to Get the King of Swords Ending
• How to Get the King of Wands Ending
• How to Get the King of Pentacles Ending
• How to Get the King of Cups Ending
• How to Purchase Vehicles
• How to Get Capacity Shards
• How to Play Trauma Drama and Rewards
• Should You Help Songbird or Reed?
• How Long To Wait for Songbird

Character Building

• Character Creation Guide
• Best Starting Attributes
• Best Perks by Playstyle
• How to Get Perk Points Quickly
• How to Level Up Fast
• Weapon Customization Guide
• How to Respec
• Which Gender to Choose?

Gameplay Guides

• Beginner's Guide
• Battle System and How to Fight
• How to Get Money (Eddies) Fast
• How to Raise Street Cred
• Missables and Unrepeatable Events
• Stealth Guide
• Hacking and Breach Protocol Guide
• List of Free Cars and Locations
• How to Drive Cars and Bikes
• How to Escape the Police
• How to Avoid Being Hacked
• How to Store Items
• Double Jump or Super Jump?
• Ripperdoc Locations and Cyberware List
• List of Tarot Cards and Locations
• How to Increase Carrying Capacity
• How to One-Shot Every Enemy
• Where To Find Skill Shards
• Where To Find Perk Shards
• How To Duplicate Items
• Which Weapons and Clothing to Keep?
• Bounty Hunting
• List of Radio Stations
• Skill Progression Tier List
• Is Dual Wielding Possible?
• List of Missable Quests and Side Gigs
• All Missable Weapons
• How to Get Carrying Capacity Shards

Best Gear Guides

• Best Quickhacks
• Best Cars and Vehicles

Story Completion

• How to Start the Phantom Liberty DLC
• All Game Endings and How to Unlock
• How to Get The Devil Ending
• How to Get The Temperance Ending
• How to Get The Star Ending
• How to Get The Sun Ending
• How to Get the Secret Ending
• Romance Guide
• How to Get 100% Clear
• Best Side Jobs to Complete
• How to Get All Johnny Clothes
• All Choices and Effects

Just for Fun

• How to Play the Doom Easter Egg
• List of Hairstyles
• Easter Eggs and Cameos
• Console Commands and Cheats
• The Sixth Attribute
• Joytoy Locations
• New Apartment Locations and How to Unlock
• Slang Explained: Dictionary of Night City Street Talk
• How to Get Nibbles the Cat Pet
• All Binocular Locations

All Cyberpunk 2077 Guides