Cyberthreats are a constant danger to businesses and individuals all over the world. The people behind these cyberattacks are known as “hackers.” Hacker activity is often illegal, but some have accomplished some admittedly impressive feats. The people behind the hacker personas are often fascinating and surprising. Let’s look behind the screen with these facts about hackers and cybersecurity.
6 Hacker Facts
1. “Mafiaboy” was a 15-year-old hacker who took over university computer networks. (Source)
Mafiaboy was the screen name of Michael Calce, who managed to take over university networks with denial-of-service attacks before moving on to giants like Dell, eBay, CNN, and Amazon. Calce’s activities helped push cybersecurity to the forefront of business and government policy.
2. Steve Wozniak of Apple got his tech start through phone hacking. (Source)
Many are surprised to learn that Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, or “the Woz,” once partook in phone-hacking. He and Steve Jobs built a “blue box” that allowed them to make long-distance calls for free, then sold their blue boxes to dorm mates. This led the duo to go into business together and form the Apple company we know today.
3. Adrian Lamo was known as the Robin Hood of hackers. (Source)
Lamo got his start at 20 years old when he used a content management tool to modify a Reuters article and added a false quote from the Attorney General. Lamo was known as a Robin Hood figure because he would immediately inform victims of his hacking activities, showing them the vulnerabilities in their systems. Lamo is best known for leaking government documents and his involvement in WikiLeaks.
4. Businesses that fall victim to hacking and cyber threats face, on average $5 million in damages. (Source)
This total doesn’t even account for expenses caused by revenue and reputation loss or fines that might result from a customer data breach.
5. Kevin Mitnick turned from a life of cybercrime as one of the world’s most infamous hackers to a cybersecurity expert. (Source)
Kevin Mitnick was once dubbed “The World’s Most Famous Hacker” by sources like CNN and Fox News. While Kevin did hack countless systems, he claimed he did it as a trophy hunter who loved the challenge of hacking. Regardless of his intentions, Kevin served five years in prison before channeling his skills into a cybersecurity company and a few books on the subject.
6. There is a famous group of “hacktivists” known as Anonymous, who don’t always use legal means to get justice. (Source)
A faceless, unknown group called Anonymous labels itself as “hacktivists,” using their data breaches to challenge authority and bring important information to light. The group’s most recent activity was to challenge Russia to a cyberwar after President Putin invaded Ukraine. The group has called out authority figures on YouTube, hiding behind a Guy Fawkes mask popularized in the film V for Vendetta. While much of the group’s activities are justice-focused, they are also known for hoaxes.
Featured image photo credit: Antoni Shkraba Studio.
