Kevin Mitnick was a master of social engineering, the art of manipulating people into revealing confidential information. He used his skills to hack into some of the most secure systems in the world, including The Pentagon, the FBI, and the NSA.
Mitnick’s hacking spree lasted for more than a decade, until was caught by the FBI in 1995, after a two and a half year manhunt. He was tracked down by a security expert named Tsutomu Shimomura, who had been hacked by Mitnick. Shimomura used a software called SATAN to trace Mitnick’s location and alerted the FBI. Mitnick was arrested at his apartment in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he had over 100 cloned cell phones, 12 fake IDs, and several encrypted laptops.
After his release from prison in 2000, Kevin Mitnick faced many challenges and restrictions. He was banned from using the internet for three years, and had to report to a probation officer regularly. He also had to pay over $1.2 million in restitution to his victims. He struggled to find a job and a place to live, and faced constant media attention and public scrutiny12
But Mitnick did not give up. He decided to use his skills and experience for good, and became a successful white hat hacker, security consultant, and author. He founded his own company, Mitnick Security Consulting, LLC, which advised Fortune 500 companies and government agencies on cybersecurity. He also became the chief hacking officer and part owner of KnowBe4, Inc, which offered phishing security awareness training.
Mitnick also wrote several books on hacking and security, such as The Art of Deception, The Art of Intrusion, Ghost in the Wires, and The Art of Invisibility. He shared his stories and insights on hacking, social engineering, and cybersecurity. He also became a public speaker and a media personality, appearing on TV shows, podcasts, and documentaries. He was featured in films such as Freedom Downtime, Takedown, and Hackers Wanted. He was also interviewed by many journalists and celebrities, such as Larry King, Stephen Colbert, and Joe Rogan.
Mitnick died on July 16, 2023, at the age of 59, after a 14-month long battle with pancreatic cancer. He passed away peacefully at his home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, surrounded by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Kimberley, his mother Shelly, and his grandmother Reba. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
Mitnick’s legacy lives on in his books, his company, his speeches, and his fans. He is remembered as a hacker who changed the world of cybersecurity, and a man who changed his life for the better. He is also remembered as a legend, a hero, and a friend. He is Kevin Mitnick, the world’s most famous hacker.
