Headlines:
- Kevin Mitnick, one of the most celebrated hackers of all time, dies at the age of 59.
- Kevin has been battling pancreatic cancer for the last 14 months.
- He made his name as one of the best hackers in the world by stealing software and codes from tech companies in the 1980s and 1990s.
When it comes to the world of hacking, every hacker knows the name of Kevin Mitnick.
Often considered the best hacker in the world and the father of “Ethical hacking,” he has redeemed his life from being one of the most wanted hackers in the USA to become one of the most celebrated ethical hacking gurus in the field of cyber security.
Unfortunately, the hacking community was saddened by the passing of Kevin Mitnick on July 16, 2023. Kevin’s family – his pregnant wife – reported that he had been fighting pancreatic cancer for the past 14 months. He was 59 years old at the time of his passing.
Legendary Hacker Kevin Mitnick Dead at 59 ( 6 Agustus 1963 – 16 July 2023 )#KevinMitnick #hacker #RIPKevinMitnick pic.twitter.com/ME2QTb40f8
— Clound Carbelius (@CloundCarbelius) July 20, 2023
Kevin Mitnick was first convicted in 1988 for hacking into Ark – a computer system used by the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) for developing their RST/SE operating system. He hacked into the network to steal its software – for which he was sentenced to 12 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
However, during his period of supervised release, he again hacked into Pacific Bell’s voicemail computers. After another arrest warrant was issued, he became a fugitive on the run.
Mitnick soon became famous after his highly publicized arrest in 1995, after being on the run for almost three years. He was arrested for 14 counts of wire fraud, 8 counts of possession of unauthorized devices (cloned cellular phones), interception of electronic devices, and hacking into federal computers.
Kevin Mitnick, who tricked employees in the 1980s and 1990s into helping him steal software and services from big phone and tech companies, has died. He was 59. https://t.co/Obyfx4vCSn
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 20, 2023
He was sentenced to 46 months in prison and an additional 22 months for violating his supervised release term by hacking into Pacific Bell networks.
During this time, he hacked into networks of the biggest cellphone network companies, read private emails and voicemails, and even stole valuable proprietary software and network access codes.
After his release in 2003, he opened his own security consultancy firm called Mitnick Secituty Consultancy LLP and became an advisory board member of Zimperium. His teachings have developed the entire world of hacking as we know it now, making him a hacking legend in the process.
We wish his pregnant wife and unborn child our condolences for their loss. The hacking community will never forget Mr. Mitnock and his contributions.
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