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Hacking has come a long way since its inception, evolving into a complex and often misunderstood world. While some hackers work to expose vulnerabilities for good, others have made headlines for causing significant harm to businesses, governments, and individuals. This article will explore some of the most infamous hackers in history, showcasing their origins and the impact of their actions.

1. Kevin Mitnick (USA)

Kevin Mitnick is perhaps the most famous hacker in history, and his exploits in the 1980s and 1990s earned him the title “the most wanted computer criminal in the United States.” He began his hacking journey by infiltrating computer networks of companies like Nokia, IBM, and Motorola, and he famously cracked corporate security systems just for the thrill of it. His hacking activities landed him in prison, but today, Mitnick has turned his skills to good use as a cybersecurity consultant.

• Country of Origin: United States
• Known For: Hacking corporate networks and evading the FBI.
• Current Role: Cybersecurity consultant and author.

2. Adrian Lamo (USA)

Adrian Lamo, also from the United States, became famous for hacking major organizations such as Yahoo!, Microsoft, and The New York Times in the early 2000s. Known as “the homeless hacker” because he often conducted his hacks from public libraries or Internet cafés, Lamo’s most controversial moment came when he reported whistleblower Chelsea Manning to authorities for leaking classified U.S. documents to WikiLeaks.

• Country of Origin: United States
• Known For: Hacking major companies and reporting Chelsea Manning.
• Legacy: Lamo’s actions sparked debates about ethics in hacking and whistleblowing.

3. Gary McKinnon (United Kingdom)

Gary McKinnon, a Scottish hacker, gained notoriety for executing what was described as “the biggest military computer hack of all time.” Between 2001 and 2002, McKinnon hacked into 97 U.S. military and NASA computers, allegedly in search of classified information about UFOs. He claimed his intention was not malicious but to expose the hidden truths about extraterrestrial life and free energy technology. Despite his claims, the U.S. government pursued his extradition for over a decade, which was eventually blocked by the UK on human rights grounds.

• Country of Origin: United Kingdom
• Known For: Hacking U.S. military and NASA computers.
• Legacy: McKinnon’s case sparked international discussions about extradition and hacking ethics.

4. Anonymous (International)

Anonymous is not a single hacker but a decentralized international group of activists and hackers that emerged in the early 2000s. Known for their iconic Guy Fawkes masks, Anonymous has carried out various operations (dubbed “ops”) against governments, corporations, and organizations. Some of their most high-profile actions include hacking PayPal, the Church of Scientology, and government websites in response to censorship and perceived injustices.

• Country of Origin: International collective with members from around the world.
• Known For: Anti-censorship campaigns and “hacktivism.”
• Current Role: Anonymous continues to engage in hacktivist activities targeting political and social issues.

5. Albert Gonzalez (USA)

Albert Gonzalez is an American hacker who led one of the largest identity theft schemes in history. Between 2005 and 2007, Gonzalez and his team stole over 170 million credit card numbers from major retailers like TJX, Heartland Payment Systems, and others. Using SQL injection techniques to exploit vulnerabilities in retail networks, Gonzalez’s exploits earned him a hefty prison sentence of 20 years.

• Country of Origin: United States
• Known For: Masterminding a massive credit card theft operation.
• Legacy: His case highlighted the need for stronger data security in retail industries.

6. Vladimir Levin (Russia)

In the mid-1990s, Russian hacker Vladimir Levin gained international infamy for hacking into Citibank’s systems and attempting to steal $10 million. Levin did this from his apartment in St. Petersburg, Russia, without even using the internet – he tapped into Citibank’s dial-up wire transfer system. Although some of the money was transferred to accounts around the world, Citibank was able to recover the majority of it, and Levin was eventually arrested and extradited to the United States.

• Country of Origin: Russia
• Known For: Stealing $10 million from Citibank.
• Legacy: Levin’s case is one of the earliest examples of a successful cyber heist.

7. Jonathan James (USA)

Jonathan James, also known by his hacker handle “c0mrade,” was a talented American hacker who became the first juvenile to be incarcerated for hacking in the United States. In 1999, at just 15 years old, he hacked into the systems of the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA, stealing sensitive software worth $1.7 million. The breach forced NASA to shut down its computers for three weeks to prevent further damage. Tragically, James later committed suicide in 2008, allegedly due to stress related to hacking investigations.

• Country of Origin: United States
• Known For: Hacking NASA and the Department of Defense as a teenager.
• Legacy: His story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of illegal hacking.

8. LulzSec (United Kingdom/International)

LulzSec, short for “Lulz Security,” was a hacker group that made waves in 2011 for a series of high-profile attacks on websites and organizations, including Sony Pictures, PBS, and the CIA. Their motives were often described as a mix of fun and political statements, and they aimed to expose security flaws for the “lulz” (laughs). Several key members were based in the United Kingdom, but the group operated internationally, and many members were later arrested.

• Country of Origin: Primarily United Kingdom, with international members.
• Known For: Hacking Sony Pictures, PBS, and the CIA for fun and political statements.
• Legacy: LulzSec became a symbol of how hackers could disrupt major organizations just for entertainment.

9. Jeanson James Ancheta (USA)

Jeanson James Ancheta is a notorious hacker from the United States who specialized in creating and distributing botnets. Botnets are networks of infected computers that hackers can remotely control to perform malicious activities. Ancheta used his botnets to launch Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks and rent out his networks to other cybercriminals. His case is notable because he was the first hacker to be convicted of using botnets for financial gain.

• Country of Origin: United States
• Known For: Creating and distributing botnets.
• Legacy: His case helped raise awareness about the dangers of botnets and the need for cybersecurity measures against them.

10. Astra (Greece)

Astra was the alias used by a Greek hacker who stole advanced weapons technology and sold it on the black market. Over five years, he infiltrated the systems of the Dassault Group, a major French aerospace company, stealing sensitive information about military jet technology. The hacker’s identity was never publicly revealed, but when he was finally arrested in 2008, it was discovered that Astra was a 58-year-old mathematician.

• Country of Origin: Greece
• Known For: Stealing military technology from the French aerospace company Dassault.
• Legacy: Astra’s activities underscored the global threat of industrial espionage in the defense sector.