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Hacking
March 12, 2026 at 12:06 PM
New article: comprehensive guide to hacking activities including ATM hacking, bank hacking, computer scams, Famous Hacker ambition, consequences, and strategies
Hacking is a set of criminal activities in inZOI tied to the Programming Skill and the crime system. It is not a standalone skill but rather a collection of illicit actions that become available when a Zoi has sufficient Programming levels combined with Bad or Terrible karma. Hacking offers one of the most lucrative criminal income paths in the game, ranging from quick ATM heists to high-stakes bank infiltration.
The basic hacking interactions (ATM hacking) have been available since the Island Getaway update (v0.3.0), but the crime system was significantly expanded in the v0.5.0 Holiday Festival update (December 2025), which added the full crime and justice system including police, courts, trials, and structured criminal career paths.
Before a Zoi can perform any hacking activity, two conditions must be met: a minimum Programming skill level, and Bad or Terrible karma. Karma naturally decreases when a Zoi performs negative social interactions, breaks promises, or engages in other antisocial behavior.
To enter the crime system at Crime Level 0 (which enables the first criminal interactions), a Zoi must also meet at least one of these conditions:
Owns 2,000 Meow or less, or is struggling with excessive debt
Under significant psychological stress from lack of family support or ongoing family conflict
Has the Rulebreaker trait or the Malicious characteristic
Once a Zoi has Bad karma and meets the crime entry conditions, hacking options appear in the Karma Action menu when interacting with ATMs and in the Skill Action menu on computers. The Zoi must be a Young Adult or older to perform any criminal activities.
ATM hacking is the most accessible hacking activity and the starting point for most criminal Zois. It requires Programming Level 1 at minimum, though Level 6 or higher is strongly recommended for consistent success.
Find an ATM machine located on a sidewalk or public area. ATMs situated inside or directly next to banks cannot be hacked. Interact with the ATM, open the Karma Action menu, and select the hack option. The Zoi will spend a short period tampering with the machine before getting a result.
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Programming Level Required | Level 1 (minimum); Level 6+ recommended |
Karma Required | Bad or Terrible |
Success Reward | 250 Meow per successful hack |
Valid Locations | Sidewalk ATMs only (not bank ATMs) |
Life Stage | Young Adult or older |
Each ATM hack attempt can result in one of three outcomes:
Success: The Zoi pockets 250 Meow from the machine. No immediate consequences, though the crime is still tracked by the crime score system.
Failure (silent): The hack fails without any consequences. The Zoi can try again immediately.
Failure (police alerted): Nearby bystanders notice and alert the police. The Zoi gains Wanted status and may be arrested if police arrive before they can leave the area.
ATM hacking carries a unique and potentially fatal risk: electrocution. There is a random chance that the Zoi will be electrocuted while tampering with the machine, resulting in instant death. This risk is higher when the Zoi's physical needs are critically low. A hungry, exhausted, or emotionally distressed Zoi is significantly more likely to be electrocuted.
To minimize the electrocution risk, always make sure the Zoi's basic needs (hunger, energy, hygiene, fun) are fully satisfied before attempting a hack. Saving the game before each attempt is also strongly recommended.
Bank hacking is the most advanced and profitable hacking activity. It requires Programming Level 10, the maximum skill level, making it a late-game criminal pursuit.
Bank hacking is performed from a computer at home, not at a physical bank. Have the Zoi sit at a computer or laptop, open the Skill Action menu, and select "Hack into Bank." The Zoi will begin a multi-step hacking sequence.
During the hack, a popup event appears warning that the Zoi's identity may be exposed. At this point, the player has two choices: abort the hack with no consequences, or continue and risk detection. If the Zoi continues and succeeds, they receive a large payout. If they fail, a fine is applied.
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Programming Level Required | Level 10 |
Karma Required | Bad or Terrible |
Success Reward | 1,000 Meow |
Failure Penalty | Fine + loss of 500 Meow |
Cooldown | 3 in-game days between attempts |
Location | Any computer or laptop at home |
The 3-day cooldown between bank hack attempts makes this activity less spammable than ATM hacking. However, the 1,000 Meow payout per success is substantially higher, and the risk of death does not exist like it does with ATMs.
The v0.5.0 update introduced several computer-based scam activities that use the Programming skill. The most notable is the Secondhand Sale Scam.
Requires Programming Level 3 and Bad karma. The Zoi uses a computer to run an online scam, receiving a random payout between 50 and 3,000 Meow. This is one of the earliest hacking-adjacent crimes available and serves as a stepping stone toward more advanced activities.
The Famous Hacker ambition specifically requires completing secondhand sale scams as its first objective, making this activity essential for Zois pursuing the hacker career path.
The v0.5.0 crime system also added a broader set of scammer interactions that unlock at increasing Crime Levels. While these are part of the crime system rather than Programming specifically, they complement the hacker playstyle:
Crime Level | Scam Type |
|---|---|
Level 0 | Gaming Item Fraud |
Level 1 | Secondhand Trade Scams |
Level 2 | Impersonating a Charity Employee, Soliciting Donations |
Level 3 | Bogus Seminars |
Level 4 | False Identity |
Level 5 | Voice Phishing |
The success rates of scammer interactions are influenced by the Rhetoric and Critical Thinking skills rather than Programming directly. However, the Programming skill still contributes to thief-type interactions like safe cracking and lock picking.
Zois can also be victims of scams. Scam messages appear randomly on a Zoi's phone, promising easy wealth before stealing their money. Getting scammed causes debt, despair, and an angry mood. Zois with higher Critical Thinking skill are better at recognizing and avoiding scam messages.
The Famous Hacker is one of the ambitions available under the Social Disorder category. It provides a structured progression path for criminal hacker Zois with three levels of increasing difficulty:
Level | Objectives |
|---|---|
Level 1 | Achieve Programming Level 3; commit a secondhand sale scam 5 times |
Level 2 | Achieve Programming Level 6; hack an ATM 10 times |
Level 3 | Achieve Programming Level 10; hack into a bank 3 times |
Completing each level rewards Meow Coins. The Famous Hacker path is considered more lucrative than the Notorious Villain path, and the ambition structure naturally guides players through the full hacking progression from scams to ATM heists to bank infiltration.
A recommended character build for the Famous Hacker ambition is the "Life of Excitement" desired life with a Video Games hobby preference. This gives the Zoi natural affinity for computer use and makes leveling Programming through gaming sessions more enjoyable.
All hacking activities carry risks within the crime and justice system introduced in v0.5.0. Understanding these consequences is important for managing a criminal Zoi's lifestyle.
Every crime committed adds to the Zoi's crime score. When police are alerted (either by bystanders witnessing a crime or by failed hack attempts), the Zoi enters Wanted status. During Wanted status, which lasts up to one in-game day, police will arrest the Zoi on sight. If the crime score reaches certain thresholds, an automatic arrest occurs regardless of police proximity.
If arrested, the Zoi is taken to prison and held until their court trial or until 9 AM the following morning (roughly 24 in-game hours). During the trial, the player can:
Post bail to be released before the trial
Hire a lawyer (free public lawyers provide limited help; elite lawyers significantly improve the odds of acquittal)
Complete trial preparation missions that influence the outcome
A guilty verdict is the most common outcome, especially without legal representation. Fines are issued for lower crime scores, while jail time results from more serious or repeated offenses.
All hacking activities further decrease karma. A Zoi who frequently hacks will maintain permanently Bad or Terrible karma, which opens more criminal interactions but closes off positive social opportunities and certain career paths.
The Criminal Mastermind Donut is a special consumable available from the Meow Store for 500 Meow Coins. When eaten, it allows the Zoi to commit crimes without any consequences for a temporary period. This effectively removes the risk of arrest, fines, and karma loss from hacking activities, making it extremely useful for completing the Famous Hacker ambition quickly or grinding ATM hacks for income.
While not directly classified as hacking, several other criminal activities benefit from the Programming skill:
Safe cracking: Part of thief interactions. Success rate is influenced by Handiwork, Programming, and Fitness skills.
Lock picking: Another thief interaction where Programming contributes to success rate alongside Handiwork.
Sabotaging surveillance cameras: A thief interaction that disables security cameras, potentially using technical knowledge from Programming.
The Suspicious Job Agency, also added in v0.5.0, provides structured criminal missions via bulletin boards. These missions can involve hacking-related objectives and provide additional income for criminal Zois.
Save before every hack attempt. ATM hacking has a random electrocution death risk. Saving first lets you reload if things go wrong.
Keep all needs filled. Electrocution risk during ATM hacking increases when needs are low. Feed, rest, and clean the Zoi before each session.
Use sidewalk ATMs only. ATMs near or inside banks cannot be hacked. Look for standalone ATMs on streets and in public areas.
Reach Programming Level 6 before serious ATM grinding. The success rate improves significantly at higher Programming levels. Level 1 works but fails often.
Programming is one of the slowest skills to level. Use the Genius trait (40-50% faster skill gain) and supplement coding sessions with video game play and book reading.
Bank hacking is safer than ATM hacking. No electrocution risk, and you can abort mid-hack if the warning popup appears. The 3-day cooldown limits frequency, but 1,000 Meow per success is reliable income.
Secondhand sale scams are the best early-game criminal income. At Programming Level 3, run them repeatedly for 50 to 3,000 Meow each time.
Consider buying a Criminal Mastermind Donut from the Meow Store before attempting the Famous Hacker ambition objectives. It removes all consequences temporarily.
