Kevin Mitnick, Ex-World’s Most Wanted Hacker, Dies

Kevin Mitnick, once one of the world’s most sought-after computer hackers, has sadly passed away at the age of 59 on July 16th. His obituary reveals that Mitnick valiantly fought pancreatic cancer for over a year while receiving treatment at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Described as a story that could be mistaken for fiction, Mitnick’s life was filled with remarkable events. Although he first breached a computer system in 1979, it wasn’t until 1988 that he faced legal consequences, resulting in a 12-month prison sentence for duplicating a company’s software.

He hacked Pacific Bell’s voicemail computers while on supervised release and then continued to break into cellular networks and corporate and government websites while on the run in the 90s. Mitnick was also involved in stealing thousands of files and credit card numbers, but his obituary says he “never took a cent from any of his ‘victims’.” He was finally caught in 1995 and charged with illegal use of the telephone. device and computer fraud. Apparently, authorities believed he had access to millions of dollars worth of trade secrets at the time.

Mitnick spent five years in prison, which he described as a “vacation” when he was released. From there, he changed his career direction and decided to become a White Hat hacker and cyber security consultant. In 2011, he became the co-owner and head of hacking at KnowBe4. KnowBe4 offers customers information security training and a simulated phishing platform. Before all of this happened, Mitnick figured out how to game LA’s transit system at age 12 by memorizing bus schedules and punch cards, then getting his own punching tool systems so he could ride the buses all day. Mitnick is survived by his wife Kimberley Mitnick and their unborn child.