Notorious hackers have gained notoriety for their illicit activities and, in some cases, their impact on computer systems, organizations, or even governments. It's important to note that hacking activities can range from malicious cybercrimes to ethical hacking and cybersecurity research.
Here are 10 individuals who have gained notoriety for their hacking exploits:
Kevin Mitnick: Kevin Mitnick is one of the most famous hackers in history. He was known for his social engineering skills and breaking into numerous high-profile systems. After serving a prison sentence, he became a cybersecurity consultant.
Adrian Lamo: Lamo gained notoriety for turning in Chelsea Manning, who had leaked classified government documents. He was an ethical hacker and security analyst.
Albert Gonzalez: Gonzalez was responsible for one of the largest credit card thefts in history, targeting retailers and stealing millions of credit card details. He was arrested in 2008 and sentenced to prison.
Gary McKinnon: McKinnon, a British hacker, gained notoriety for hacking into U.S. government computers, including those belonging to NASA and the Pentagon. His actions were driven by a belief in the existence of UFOs and government cover-ups.
Julian Assange: While not primarily a hacker, Assange is known for founding WikiLeaks, a platform for whistleblowers to leak sensitive documents. His organization has published classified and confidential information.
Kevin Poulsen: Known as "Dark Dante," Poulsen was involved in various hacking activities, including taking over phone lines to win radio contests. He later turned his hacking skills into a career in journalism and became an editor for Wired.
Lizard Squad: A hacking group that gained notoriety for launching DDoS attacks on gaming networks like PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. They also claimed responsibility for taking down the Malaysia Airlines website.
Max Ray Vision (aka Iceman): Max Vision was a hacker who was involved in credit card fraud and identity theft. He operated underground forums and was sentenced to prison for his crimes.
Anonymous: Anonymous is not an individual but a loosely organized, decentralized hacking and activism collective. Members have been involved in various cyberattacks, DDoS attacks, and other online activities for various causes.
John McAfee: While John McAfee is primarily known as the founder of McAfee antivirus software, he gained notoriety for his eccentric and controversial lifestyle, including involvement in cybersecurity and privacy issues.
It's important to distinguish between ethical hackers and malicious hackers. Many individuals who have been involved in hacking activities have later turned their skills toward legitimate and legal careers in cybersecurity, becoming cybersecurity experts and consultants.
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