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Mitnick Speaks About Hacking
Rob_Warwick writes "I've just posted a one on one interview with Kevin Mitnick on Applefritter. In just less than 20 minutes, we take a look at who generally gets targeted by social engineering schemes, and how social engineering can assist in making a technical exploit work. Mitnick speaks about which industries are at highest risk from social enginerering, and what types of workers are generally easier to talk into doing something for you. Kevin also talks about who his heroes were when getting into phreaking and computers, as well as a humbling moment when he was on the recieving end of some social engineering. The HOPE keynotes for both Kevin and The Woz are also available for download."
Now that Mitnick's no longer in prison, it's nice to be able to comment about "free (as in beer) Mitnick." Any opportunity to hear his insights into social engineering is a welcome one, especially for those of us that have to take network security into account for our livelihood. :)
Sorry, I simply cannot understand what the interviewer is trying to say in that MP3. A speech impediment, flaming homosexuality (as expected on applefritter.com - come one, the interviewer must be trying to sound "gay"), and a crappy recording all help to spoil the experience.
Kevin is loud and clear, even though I'm not a native English speaker, nor live in an English speaking country.
Is it just me, or do you really don't care about him anymore?
It's a bad dream that just wont go away, some people are so enamored with Kevin that they feel the need to post every story that includes his name.
He's a felon.
One of the first, abeit more publicized and punished geeks, and I really don't care to read stories about him. About the only thing that actually is interesting is that this guy got caught by trying to hack into some other geeks computer, and was traced back to his location.
Amature. Go social engineer some money out of a bank instead of robbing it with a gun, and THEN I'll be interested.
I can see it now, bumper stickers that read:
"Free Kevin v2.0"
http://www.fsckin.com/
I thought he went to jail for doing this? I would have thought part of his release deal would have included not speaking about hacking and not associating with hackers. I remember from a political science class being told that most drug dealers who get released do so on the condition they will not associate with anyone known who is also a criminal. One guy who got caught at school using a computer for illegal purposes (and prosecuted) got a reduced sentance to two years probation and part of the deal was he could not use a computer.
Rosco: "If brains were gunpowder, Enos couldn't blow his nose."
you got it in one. and in most cases it is as symple as that allomst. If anyone is really intrested try his book the art of deseption its quite good. hell workd on my comp teachers at school i got one of them to verbally tell me his password.
Biometrics isn't the panacea it's made out to be. Educate your users, it's the only way.
Pathman, Free (as in GPL) 3D Pac Man
...perhaps you are one of the slashdot trollers he spoke of who is 'jealous'
He did help 'write the book', so to speak.. So he's a classic and does deserve some respect.
So he's was a felon.. big deal. He's also served his time. ( nes an ex-felon now.. having paid his 'debt' )
( it was also an unjust and mostly fabricated charge that he was convicted on as well.. )
And if you dont care to read stories about him, why are you commenting on here? That means you are STILL reading them.. its your choice, free speech also means you have to read it...
---- Booth was a patriot ----
You've got to have some respect for his combination of technical prowess and social engineering skills. It is a somewhat rare combination. Most computer geeks are introverts.
I was in awe when he hacked netcom. I actually benefited indirectly from his action. Netcom lost my billing info and I got two years of dial-up CSLIP for free.
Funniest moment at HOPE (roughly paraphrased) .. ..
---------------------
Kevin: I became Jesus on the cross, so that all of you could continue to do what you do
Comic Book Store guy behind me (sarcastically): thank you God!
----------------------
love him, hate him, or both
did large corporations use him as their scapegoat whipping boy? absolutely.
did the punishment fit the crime? absolutely not.
is he still obsessed with manipulation to get anything he can from suckers? apparently so
is he full of himself? oh my god yes!
Woz is much more likable
I remember reading Takedown, and Cyberpunk, and numerous other books. I have sought out and watched the movie Takedown. I remember reading about the worlds most evil hacker, suspected of being able to call NORAD and launch a nuclear assault, obsessed with Jody Foster, and of course I am sure he beats puppies too. . . (read the the bottom of my post)
,read a little more on the subject. No, Kevin Mitnick is not a saint, none of us are. Yes, he did some bad stuff when he was a kid, he was rewared for it (in school). After his first bust he spent 8 months in solitary for 23 hours a day, do you think that after that experience he might want to run and never be caulght again. I know I would and I am very conservitive, a Rebublican if you will.
Than I did some more research, wached the documentary Freedom Downtime
Now I do not think I will ever share the same sociatal or political views of 2600 Magazine (google "2600 HOPE" if you realy need to); however, I went to HOPE this weekend. The very approchable Kevin Mitnick was there, and, took his time to speak with anyone who approached him, including myself. During his Keynote address, which I belive you can downbload from this site, he talks frankly (not braggingly) about what what he did, the results, the personal costs, and yes, yes, yes, he told the audience to "NOT, make the [mistakes] he made". No sir, Kevin Mitnick is not evil, nor a saint, he even likes puppies. I would habe no problem handing Kevin my Credit Card to go get gas and know that he would come back with it. I would not trust John Markov or Tsutomu Shimomura, because they lie. Markov has publicly admitid to telling mis-truths. Tsutomu overly inflated hs story, and even allowed Mirimax to use his name and re-tell his story full more lies. Hell, the movie has them meeting 2 times, one where T.S. gets beaten up because of Kevin, whay bull shit.
Mr Chuck, I do not blame you for being misinformed, I pitty you. If you ever get the chance to speak to Kevin do so, he is very kind and approchable. Just do not call him an asswipe as that would be rude and just plain wrong.
SK