Top 10 Deadliest Cybercriminals in History: A Profile by MalwareFox

In the world of information technology, hackers are a notorious bunch. They can be both criminal masterminds and computer geniuses, able to break into even the most secure systems with ease. Some hackers have used their skills for personal gain, while others have waged cyber warfare against governments and large corporations.

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Here is a list of the 10 most dangerous hackers of all time!

10 Types of Hackers You Should Know

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#1. Kevin Mitnick

Kevin Mitnick is one of the most notorious hackers of all time. His hacking career started in the early 1980s when he broke into the systems of Digital Equipment Corporation, Motorola, and other companies. He was only 16 when he started hacking.

In 1982 he hacked the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD) computer system, which controls the United States’ nuclear arsenal. He was arrested in 1988 and served five years in prison.

After his release, he wrote several books about his experiences as a hacker. He now runs a computer security consultancy firm.

#2. Julian Assange

Julian Assange is the founder of WikiLeaks, a website that publishes classified information from anonymous sources. He is also a computer programmer and hacker.

In the 1990s, he was involved in the development of the first internet Relay Chat (IRC) bot, known as “RTB” (Reliable Tool Bot). He also created the first online bank, called “E-gold”.

Assange has been accused of leaking classified information about the Iraq War, which led to the death of a U.S. soldier. He is currently living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he has been granted asylum.

#3. Anonymous

Anonymous is a decentralized group of hackers that have carried out cyber attacks against governments, corporations, and individuals. They are best known for their attacks on the Church of Scientology, PayPal, and Sony. The group has no leader and anyone can join anonymously. Their motto is “we are legion”.

The group is known to be started in the early 2000s on the imageboard 4chan. They have been involved in many political movements such as Occupy Wall Street and the Arab Spring.

In 2012, they hacked the website of the U.S. Sentencing Commission in protest of the death of Internet activist Aaron Swartz. The group has also been linked to the release of sensitive information from the U.S. military and intelligence agencies.

#4. Vladimir Levin

Vladimir Levin is a Russian hacker who was responsible for one of the largest bank robberies in history. In 1995, he and his team hacked into Citibank’s computer system and transferred $10 million to accounts they controlled.

They also attempted to steal $12 million from other banks but were unsuccessful. Levin was detained in 1995 and extradited to the US, where he entered a guilty plea and received a three-year prison term.

He was released in 1998 and returned to Russia. It is believed that he still has access to Citibank’s systems and could strike again at any time.

#5. Michael Calce

Also known as “Mafiaboy”, Michael Calce is a Canadian hacker who launched distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against some of the world’s largest websites in 2000. His victims included Yahoo!, Amazon, Dell, and eBay.

The attacks caused damage estimated at $1.7 billion. Calce was arrested in 2000 and sentenced to eight months in a juvenile detention center. He was released in 2004 and has since reformed. He now works as a computer security consultant.

#6. Gary McKinnon

Gary McKinnon is a Scottish hacker who is accused of carrying out the “biggest military computer hack of all time”. In 2002, he hacked into 97 U.S. military and NASA computers, causing $800,000 worth of damage.

He claimed that he was looking for evidence of extraterrestrial life and UFO coverups. McKinnon was arrested in 2002 but was not extradited to the United States until 2005.

He has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and depression and his extradition has been opposed by many high-profile figures, including the former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

McKinnon is currently awaiting trial in the United States.

#7. Matthew Bevan and Richard Pryce

Matthew Bevan and Richard Pryce, also known as “Kuji” and “Datastream Cowboy”, are British hackers who broke into the computer systems of the United States Air Force in 1996.

They gained access to over 3,000 military computers and caused $1 million worth of damage. They were arrested in 1996 but were not charged until 1998. Bevan was given a community service order and Pryce was sentenced to probation.

#8. Adrian Lamo

Adrian Lamo is a Colombian-American hacker who gained notoriety in 2003 when he hacked into the computer systems of The New York Times and Microsoft.

He also accessed the personal information of over 3,000 people, including journalists, government employees, and military personnel. Lamo was arrested in 2003 and pleaded guilty to federal charges of computer intrusion.

He received a six-month home detention term and a two-year probationary period as punishment. Since then, Lamo has worked as an information security consultant and threat analyst.

#9. Jonathan James

Jonathan James was an American hacker who gained access to the computer systems of the Defense Contract Management Agency, NASA, and the Department of Defense in 1999.

He was the first juvenile to be sentenced to prison for cybercrime in the United States. James installed a back door in the systems which allowed him to access sensitive information and steal software worth an estimated $1.7 million.

He also caused over $500,000 worth of damage to the systems. James committed suicide in 2008 after he was indicted on federal charges related to the attacks.

#10. Albert Gonzalez

Albert Gonzalez is an American hacker who was convicted of leading a team that stole over 40 million credit and debit card numbers from retailers such as TJX, BJ’s Wholesale Club, OfficeMax, Boston Market, and DSW.

The stolen data was sold on the black market and used to generate over $200 million in fraudulent charges. Gonzalez was arrested in 2003 and pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2008.

He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Gonzalez is currently serving his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Elkton, Ohio.

Summing Up

Hackers are a fascinating bunch. Some use their skills for good, while others use them for evil. Regardless of which side of the fence they stand on, one thing is for sure: hackers are some of the most creative and ingenious people out there.

These are the top 10 most dangerous hackers of all time. While some have been apprehended and punished, others remain at large. One thing is for sure, these hackers have all made a significant impact on the world of cybercrime.

What do you think? Who do you think is the most dangerous hacker of all time? Let us know in the comments below!

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Top 10 Deadliest Cybercriminals in History: A Profile by MalwareFox