Kevin Mitnick is an American computer security consultant, author, and former hacker. He was one of the most wanted computer criminals in the U.S. before being captured in 1995. After serving a five-year prison term, including eight months in solitary confinement, Mitnick transformed his activities and used his skills for legal purposes.
Mitnick’s hacking career began when he was just a teenager. He started by exploiting the Los Angeles bus punch card system to ride for free before hacking into the global network of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). Mitnick’s primary motivation wasn’t to cause damage or theft but rather the intellectual challenge and thrill of breaking into heavily fortified computer systems.
Mitnick was first arrested in 1988 and served a one-year prison term followed by three years of supervised release. But near the end of this supervised period, he fled and went on a two-and-a-half-year hacking spree. This ended when the FBI finally caught him in 1995. He was convicted for hacking into dozens of systems, including those of IBM and Nokia, and causing millions of dollars in damages.
Upon his release from prison in 2000, Mitnick turned his life around and founded Mitnick Security Consulting, LLC, a company that offers penetration testing services and computer security consultation. He also wrote several books on computer security, including “The Art of Deception,” “The Art of Intrusion,” and “Ghost in the Wires.” These books not only detail his experiences as a hacker but also provide valuable insights into social engineering tactics, a method he often used to gain access to systems.
Mitnick’s story has also been portrayed in various media, including the films “Takedown” and “Freedom Downtime.” He often comments on cybersecurity issues on TV and radio shows. Despite his controversial past, Mitnick has become a respected figure in cybersecurity, leveraging his unique understanding of hacking to protect against it.
The Mitnick Family and KnowBe4 announce the passing of Kevin Mitnick, 59, following a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Kevin fought bravely for over a year and died peacefully on Sunday, July 16, 2023.
A memorial for Kevin will take place in Las Vegas on August 1, 2023, where he will be buried near his mother and grandmother in a local Jewish cemetery per his wishes. The details of the memorial will be announced soon, including details to allow his many friends and colleagues to attend virtually.
For more information, please contact Kathy Wattman at [email protected] | 727-474-9950.
