WSJ article about portraying computers and the Internet on film.
One of the first ways Hollywood portrayed the Internet – or something resembling it — was by featuring computer hackers who used their geeky skills to run amok. In 1983’s WarGames, for instance, a baby-faced Matthew Broderick found himself in control of nuclear missiles after accessing a military computer system using the suspiciously hackable password “Joshua.” Countless hacker movies since then have similarly stretched belief in the name of drama.
Video clips from the following movies can be seen at The Web On Film
WarGames – Sneakers – Hackers – The Net – Mission Impossible
Independence Day – You’ve Got Mail – Swordfish – .com for Murder
FeardotCom – The Matrix Reloaded – Mr. & Mrs. Smith