Why is websites hacked – Most famous hackers caught

Why is websites hacked – Most famous hackers caught

Most Notorious Hackers that got caught

Hacker Action Punishment Current Status
Kevin Mitnick Hacking and other computer and telecommunications-related crimes Arrest and five years in prison CEO of Mitnick Security Consulting LLC
Adrian Lamo Hacking into the networks of several large companies, including The New York Times and Microsoft Six months of house arrest and two years of probation Died in 2018
Albert Gonzalez Hacking into the systems of several large companies, including TJX Companies and Heartland Payment Systems 20 years in prison Serving as an informant for the government in exchange for reduced sentence
Gary McKinnon Hacking into the computer networks of the US Department of Defense and NASA databases Suspended sentence Working as a systems administrator and IT consultant in the UK
Jeremy Hammond Hacking into the systems of several large companies and government agencies, including Stratfor and the FBI Ten years in prison Working as an activist and technology consultant for organizations such as WikiLeaks and ACLU
Jonathan James Hacking into the systems of several large companies, including NASA and US Defense Threat Reduction Agency Six months of house arrest and two years of probation Died in 2008
Kevin Poulsen Phone hacking 51 months in prison and a fine of $56,000 Senior editor for Wired Magazine
Sabu (Hector Monsegur) Hacking into the systems of several large companies and government organizations Cumulative seven months in prison and a fine of $1,200,000 Working as a security advisor and public speaker
Max Ray Butler Hacking into the systems of several large companies and financial institutions, identity theft 13 years in prison Retired from hacking and keeping a low profile

 

Kevin Mitnick: Mitnick is considered one of the most infamous hackers of all time. He was arrested in 1995 for hacking into the computer systems of several major corporations and government agencies. He was sentenced to five years in prison and has since become a consultant and speaker on computer security.

Sources:

  • Wired: The World’s Most Famous Hacker Kevin Mitnick On How To Make Your Password Unhackable
  • CNN Business: The rise and fall of a hacker legend
  • The New York Times: After Jailing, a Computer Expert Becomes a Crusader for Cellphone Privacy

 

Adrian Lamo: Lamo became known for hacking into the computer systems of several high-profile companies and government agencies, including The New York Times, Microsoft, and the FBI. He was sentenced to six months of house arrest and two years of probation. Lamo passed away in 2018.

Sources:

  • Wired: Adrian Lamo, Hacker Who Reported Chelsea Manning to the F.B.I., Dies at 37
  • The Guardian: Adrian Lamo obituary

 

Albert Gonzalez: Gonzalez was the mastermind behind one of the largest credit card fraud schemes in history, which involved hacking into the computer systems of several major retailers. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and is currently serving as an informant for the US government.

Sources:

  • Forbes: The Target Hackers: Who They Are And How They Did It
  • Krebs on Security: Ex-Target hacker pleads guilty, will cooperate in other cases
  • The New York Times: 20-Year Sentence for Man in Largest Identity Theft Case

 

Gary McKinnon: McKinnon was accused of hacking into the computer systems of the US Department of Defense and NASA. He fought extradition to the US and was eventually given a suspended sentence. He is now working as a systems administrator and IT consultant in the UK.

Sources:

  • BBC News: Gary McKinnon: ‘UFO hacker’ extradition to US blocked by UK
  • The Guardian: Gary McKinnon: The autistic hacker whose extradition fight united the internet

 

Jeremy Hammond: Hammond was a member of the hacktivist group Anonymous and was responsible for several high-profile hacks, including the breach of the intelligence firm Stratfor. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and has since become an activist and technology consultant.

Sources:

  • The New York Times: Judge Sentences Hacker to 10 Years in Prison
  • Wired: Anonymous Hacktivist Jeremy Hammond Is Out of Prison

 

Jonathan James: James became known for hacking into the computer systems of several major companies, including NASA and the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency. He was the first juvenile to be sent to prison for hacking in the US and passed away in 2008.

Sources:

  • Wired: Juvenile Hacker’s Escapades Made Him Most Wanted on US Govt’s Cyber Crime List
  • CBS News: Jonathan James: A sad lesson in computer crime

 

Kevin Poulsen: Poulsen gained notoriety in the 1980s for hacking into the phone lines of a radio station to win a contest. He later hacked into other phone systems and was sentenced to 51 months in prison. He is now a senior editor for Wired Magazine.

Sources:

  • Wired: Inside the Hacker World of Kevin Poulsen, Once the FBI’s Most Wanted Cybercriminal
  • The New York Times: Hacker Goes to Prison, Convinced It’s a Hoax

 

Sabu (Hector Monsegur): Sabu was a prominent member of the hacktivist group LulzSec and was responsible for several high-profile hacks, including those of several large corporations and government organizations. He turned informant for the FBI and is now working as a security advisor and public speaker.

Sources:

  • Wired: Sabu and the feds: How the FBI caught the world’s most notorious hacker
  • Vice: Sabu, the Hacker Who Helped FBI Stop 300 Cyberattacks, Has Finally Been Unmasked

 

Max Ray Butler: Butler was the mastermind behind several high-profile hacks, including the theft of millions of credit card numbers. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison and has since retired from hacking.

Sources:

  • Wired: MasterCard Hacker Max Butler Gets 13 Years
  • The Register: ‘Iceman’ hacker sentenced to 13 years in prison

 

 

These hackers have left their mark on the history of computer security and have inspired both fear and fascination.

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