Kevin Mitnick
Kevin David Mitnick (August 6, 1963 – July 16, 2023) was an American computer security consultant, author, and convicted hacker. He is best known for his high-profile 1995 arrest and five years in prison for various computer and communications-related crimes.[5] Mitnick's pursuit, arrest, trial, and sentence along with the associated journalism, books, and films were all controversial.[6][7] After his release from prison, he ran his own security firm, Mitnick Security Consulting, LLC, and was also involved with other computer security businesses.
Kevin Mitnick
July 16, 2023 (aged 59)
The Condor, The Darkside Hacker
- Mitnick Security Consulting
- Chief Hacking Officer at KnowBe4, Inc
KnowBe4
1995: Wire fraud (14 counts), possession of unauthorized access devices (8 counts), interception of wire or electronic communications, unauthorized access to a federal computer, and causing damage to a computer[1][2]
- 1998: One year prison[3]
- 1999: 46 months prison plus 3 years probation
N6NHG[4]
Early life and education[edit]
Mitnick was born on August 6, 1963,[8] in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California.[9] His father was Alan Mitnick, his mother was Shelly Jaffe, and his maternal grandmother was Reba Vartanian.[10][11] He grew up in Los Angeles, California.[8] At age 12, Mitnick convinced a bus driver to tell him where he could buy his own ticket punch for "a school project", and was then able to ride any bus in the greater Los Angeles area using unused transfer slips he found in a dumpster next to the bus company garage.[12]
Mitnick attended James Monroe High School in North Hills,[13][14] during which time he became a licensed amateur radio operator with callsign WA6VPS[15] (his license was restored after imprisonment with callsign N6NHG[16]). He chose the nickname "Condor" after watching the movie Three Days of the Condor.[17] He was later enrolled at Los Angeles Pierce College and USC.[13]
Books[edit]
Written by Mitnick[edit]
Mitnick is the co-author, with William L. Simon and Robert Vamosi, of four books, three on computer security and an autobiography:
