Although Spider-Man (2002) does not directly address computer and network security, an Idea, which was a predecessor to a major computer and network security vulnerability was explored. The idea of targeting loved ones drives the plot through Aunt May and MJ. This exploitation through your loved ones is now heavily used in types of network and computer attacks.
This idea is shown to drive the conflict of the movie. It initially starts when Norman is having thanksgiving dinner with Peter and Aunt May, through this scene Norman realizes Peter is spiderman. After Aunt May scolds Norman for grabbing food with his hands Norman very ominously sharpens a knife while staring almost through her. This is the point in which he comes up with his plan to attack Aunt May, distracting and hurting Peter through his love for her. Norman later on figures out Peter's real weakness, MJ. He then uses this, making Peter decide between saving countless children or MJ. Although Peter was able to stop him without losing the kids or MJ, this shows Norman's use of exploiting loved ones to cause Peter to be vulnerable.
Similarly, many types of computer and network attacks use this same method, targeting loved ones to make the actual target more vulnerable. An example of this are phishing attacks which lower the target's general security through threatening or impersonating loved ones. This could be something like a ransom email for your children, this goads the target into clicking on a link that can steal your information or cause other harm. Bad actors can also cause security breaches to get information on your loved ones, this can lead to things like blackmail, threats, or impersonation. Attacking a target through loved ones or important people in their lives like colleagues, bosses, or friends can be an easy way to lower their security and cause harm.
Spider-Man illustrates the idea behind and predecessor to this type of attack. Norman uses Peter's loved ones to distract him, allowing Norman a leg up over Peter. This is the exact same idea behind attacks that increase a target's vulnerability through threatening or impersonating loved ones. They lower the target's security and make them think rashly, hoping to help or prevent harm to their loved ones. This then leads the target to fall right in the attackers trap, stealing their money, data, or causing any type of other harm to the target.
Today within computer and network security our systems are extremely robust and secure to most attacks. As a result of this over 98% of cyber attacks use social engineering [1]. Our security is only as good as the weakest link, which is human error. This leads to most cyber attacks targeting us through important people in our lives, the driving force behind Spider-Man. Norman's use of distracting and exploiting Peter's loved ones to make Peter vulnerable mirrors modern day cyber security attacks, distracting and exploiting targets through encouraging them to act over important people in their lives. This creates vulnerable targets prone to human error. Spider-Man shows and explores the predecessor to most modern day attacks on computer and network systems. Showing the greatest problem we now face in computer and network security, human error.
[1] - Huntress, “Impact of Social Engineering: Key Statistics on Businesses”, (https://www.huntress.com/social-engineering-guide/social-engineering-statistics), (4/27/2026)