Renowned Cybercriminal: Kevin Mitnick, the Most Notorious Hacker Ever
Kevin Mitnick, born in 1963, has had a remarkable journey from a troublesome teen to one of the most famous white hat security experts in the world.
At the tender age of 12, Mitnick used social engineering to obtain bus transfer tickets and hack free bus rides. His curiosity and knack for hacking continued to grow as he entered his teenage years. At 16, he gained access to the DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) network and copied files from their system.
In 1988, Mitnick was charged and sentenced to 1 year in prison for his hacking activities. However, instead of serving his time, he decided to run. For the next few years, he became the most wanted hacker in the United States, breaking into dozens of computer networks, intercepting passwords, and breaking into private email systems.
His notoriety reached its peak in 1992. During this time, Mitnick was hiding in the Denver area, using a false name and false ID. He even went as far as modifying the ESN number and other identifying data of the Motorola MicroTAK Ultralite cell phone to evade government surveillance methods.
Mitnick's reign of cybercrime came to an end in 1995 when he was caught, arrested, and faced trial. He was sentenced to five years in prison. However, just a couple of months before his three-year probation period was over, he hacked into Pacific Bell's voice mail computers, for which he served additional time.
After his release, Mitnick was not legally allowed to profit from books or films for seven years. But when the ban was lifted, he capitalised on his infamous past by authoring several best-selling books on hacking and cybersecurity. Some of his notable works include "The Art of Deception", "The Art of Intrusion", "Ghost in the Wires", and "The Art of Invisibility".
Today, Mitnick is a sought-after speaker, earning tens of thousands per speaking gig. He also runs a well-known cybersecurity company called Mitnick Security. His books are highly recognised in the cybersecurity world, providing valuable insights into the world of hacking and offering practical advice on how to stay secure online.
Despite his troubled past, Mitnick has managed to turn his life around and become a respected figure in the cybersecurity industry. His estimated net worth is around 15 million dollars, a testament to his success in the field.
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