Around the world, corporations, governments, and individuals are all very concerned about cybersecurity. Online security has been stepped up, yet hackers still find ways to penetrate networks and take important data. We’ll look at the top 10 hackers who created havoc in cyberspace in this piece, along with some of their noteworthy accomplishments.
1. Kevin Mitnick
Kevin Mitnick was a master of social engineering and one of the most well-known hackers of all time. He used his charm and persuasiveness to obtain access to important computer networks. He acquired unauthorised access to a number of systems, including those used by the FBI, Digital Equipment Company, and Pacific Bell. Mitnick was ultimately detained and given a five-year prison term. The film “Takedown” was inspired by his experiences.
2. Gary McKinno
Gary McKinnon — Known for allegedly hacking into 97 US military and NASA computers, McKinnon caused more than $700,000 worth of damage. He claimed to be looking for evidence of UFOs and government cover-ups. After a lengthy legal battle, the UK government decided not to extradite him to the US, citing concerns about his mental health.
3. Adrian Lamo
Adrian Lamo was a hacker and journalist who rose to fame for breaking into well-known corporations including Microsoft and Yahoo. He also famously handed Chelsea Manning over to law enforcement. At the age of 37, Lamo passed away in 2018.
4. Jonathan James
Jonathan James, the first child to receive a prison sentence for hacking, was in charge of stealing software and passwords from the US Department of Defense. Additionally, he broke into the computer networks of NASA and stole software worth millions of dollars. In 2008, James committed suicide.
5. Albert Gonzalez
Albert Gonzalez, one of the most active hackers in history, was in charge of collecting more than 170 million credit card details. He targeted businesses like Hannaford Brothers, Heartland Payment Systems, and TJX. Gonzalez was ultimately apprehended and given a 20-year prison term.
6. Kevin Poulsen
Kevin Poulsen, also known as “Dark Dante,” was a well-known hacker who was eventually found guilty of computer fraud. He famously rigged a radio station contest to win a Porsche by hacking into phone lines and radio stations.
7. Robert Tappan Morris
Robert Tappan Morris, the inventor of the infamous Morris Worm, unintentionally brought about widespread computer disruptions in 1988. Thousands of computers were affected by the worm, which made them crash or become inoperable. Morris ultimately received a probationary period and community service.
8. Tsutomu Shimomura
The well-known computer security specialist Tsutomu Shimomura is credited with locating and apprehending Kevin Mitnick. He also contributed to the book “Takedown,” which is about the incident.
9. Mark Abene
Mark Abene: Known as “Phiber Optik,” Mark Abene was a member of the infamous hacker squad that infiltrated the computer networks of the New York Telephone Company. He was ultimately apprehended and imprisoned. Abene is now employed as a security advisor.
10. LulzSec
The hacker group LulzSec became well-known for attacking well-known businesses and institutions, such as Sony and the CIA. Additionally, they made public the private data of thousands of people from websites like PBS and Fox.com. Afterwards, several LulzSec members were detained and given prison terms.
The persons in the above list are some of the most notorious hackers in history, and they are well-known for their capacity to breach even the most protected computer networks.
Some regarded themselves as activists campaigning against what they believed to be injustices, while some of them used their abilities for their own benefit.
Whatever their intentions, their deeds have had a huge impact and compelled governments and corporations to review their cybersecurity procedures. It is crucial to remember that hacking is unlawful and has serious repercussions, including jail time and heavy fines.
“It’s crucial that we all take measures to protect ourselves from cyber attacks and work towards a safer and more secure online environment.”
