Black ice, in
William Gibson's
Neuromancer universe, refers to a grade of ice (from
intrusion countermeasures electronics) which does physical neurological harm to the user who crosses it. It is illegal because it can easily kill a user. However, the
targets which black ice would typically defend would be so
esoteric and
private that anyone who would happen to come about the wrong side of a program of this nature would most certainly deserve what he or she would get. Black ice would typically defend
military grade targets such as
weapons systems and
artificial intelligences. Some
console cowboys have managed to garner a reputation for themselves by being
flatlined by black ice and living to tell the
tale.
See also:
white ice,
Dixie Flatline,
ice,
cyberspace