I'll also presume I was incapable of writing the DataTerm scanning/hopping program previously.
Nope, that's an interpretation of existing software. That's fine.
It will also take more than a Radio Shack to do what you want to do. 1, the pressure switch is pretty worthless - your nervous system is engaged. Moving your hand off the switch is as much effort as just flipping the power button, in terms of cognitive ability. Black ICE will lock that out for you. 2. Cyberdecks and soldering irons are not a good idea. You'll need an equipped set-up.
Here's the simple truth: there is no easy way to bypass the risks of jacking in. There isn't. You can try to reduce them, but the hardware and software is set up so that a whole of people smarter and more experienced than your character have already tried to make it as safe and efficient as possible.