this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2023
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[–] [email protected] 45 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

Wow he wasn't that old, damn, it was always fun when he showed up at The Screensavers.

I never understood the bashing for being a "sellout", he was a well known public figure in tech industry, I bet it was hard to find a decent job.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 years ago

It's terribly sad when such great minds are taken relatively early from such horrible diseases.

He seems like someone who always made the best of any situation. After a stint in prison, I'm sure he just wanted to keep doing his best, which led him towards things that weren't as controversial. Either way, we all have plenty to learn from his works.

[–] bulbousnub 14 points 2 years ago

My first introduction to Kevin Mitnick was an episode of The Screen Savers where he was first allowed to have internet back and they made a whole big to-do about what he was going to visit first… memories!

[–] [email protected] 34 points 2 years ago

It's a damn shame. May he rest in peace.

[–] [email protected] 28 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (3 children)

Holy crap. I remember the "Free Mitnick!" campaign.

Edit: Clearly @Hellsadvocate thinks Mitnick deserves what he got.

[–] niktemadur 23 points 2 years ago

He had the book thrown at him in profound knee-jerk ignorance.
I remember reading the Rolling Stone article when it was published.
Years later in the late 90s, I remember listening to his radio talk show, feeling glad that he landed in a good place, that his ordeal didn't break him.

[–] hactar42 14 points 2 years ago

Seems like there was an article about it in every edition of 2600 all through the late 90s.

[–] TIEPilot 2 points 2 years ago

FREE KEVIN! '99

[–] porksoda 23 points 2 years ago (1 children)

His book Ghost in the Wires is a fantastic read.

[–] PurpleGameBoy 2 points 2 years ago

Truly fantastic book.

[–] spacedancer 21 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Saw him in person at Defcon years ago. He was very personable and was happy to talk to anyone. RIP

[–] Underwear 5 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Huh, maybe it was just the event or his mood. I met him at an security event and he was an absolute asshole to everyone. Basically any questions, he gave short terse answers to and clearly it didn't want to say hi to anyone. Glad others had better experiences than mine.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 years ago (1 children)

We all have bad days. Unfortunately his coincided with the only time you saw him. I don't think that makes him an asshole. I think it makes him human.

You ever call in sick because you're not feeling it? Public figures can't do that because people will call them an asshole.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 years ago

This is the way. No human is capable of always being the best version of themselves

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

Yes. Social engineers are surprisingly good at being social. It's like they could do it for work instead of technical hacking.

[–] ikidd 15 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

And with his first child on the way.

Fucking universe...

Free Kevin.

[–] outcide 4 points 2 years ago

I remember being at Defcon the year all the FREE KEVIN stickers were everywhere ...

[–] 4am 13 points 2 years ago

Wow, I still have an old computer with a “Free Kevin” sticker on it. RIP you absolute legend

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

That is way too young. RIP.

[–] TIEPilot 7 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

The King of Social Engineering! No! Too young and I'm only a few years younger. RIP

FREE KEVIN '99!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago

I learnt of Kevin Mitnick from HN many years ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see him as the face of a company's in-house security trainings. May he be at peace.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago

Rest in peace, legend! 😢

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago
[–] electrogamerman 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Shit, so young!!! Anyone know the cause?

RIP Legend!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago

Umm, it's mentioned in the linked article, pancreatic cancer

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Reminds me of being an edgy teenager and reading 2600 Magazine (that I got from the local Barnes & Noble lol). RIP

[–] PurpleGameBoy 2 points 2 years ago

Holy shit, that's so young. Rest in peace legend.

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