Science fiction book where (in virtual meetings) the environment was visualized based on the participants' emotions.

[Bennedict]

This is a fictional sci-fi book I read approximately 15-20 years ago.

It was paperback, possibly dark cover, possibly approximately 300 pages.

It involved futuristic cryptography; when the individual was "hacking" it was a very physical experience. (The hacking took place in virtual reality although that term might not have been used.) Meaning, the hacking was described as if they were physically searching for and finding ways through the virtual environment.

One really unique aspect, which I described in the title, was the virtual environments these hackers met in. When having virtual meetings, the environment was created by, and reacted to, the participants emotions (and possibly character traits). (Imagine the people meeting virtually on a lovely day at the beach for an open and kind person feeling good, but as anxiety or fear or worry grows in their mind, clouds start to roll in.) I think, the creator of the meeting most affected the environment, but the other participants could affect it still in smaller ways. I remember a part they had a meeting and something sinister was revealed and the main character was suppressing his emotion as to not reveal his suspicion or fear (reflected in the environment).

I was a teen and I remember it being very very technical.

I think about this book every couple years and would love to read it again. Thank you for the help.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Series?
Author's gender?

[Ky]

Long shot: Aristoi.