Former “Most Wanted” hacker turned cybersecurity expert, Kevin Mitnick, shared insights about his past and present career in a recent interview. After serving a prison sentence, Mitnick was asked by the US government to help protect their computer systems. Since then, he has written books and started his own IT security consulting firm. Mitnick emphasizes that he transitioned from being an unethical hacker to an ethical one, highlighting the importance of using his talents for good. He also discussed the changing landscape of hacking, noting that nowadays hackers are more focused on making money rather than exploring technology for fun. Mitnick specializes in “social engineering,” a technique that manipulates people to obtain passwords and sensitive information. He believes that educating individuals about social engineering is crucial in strengthening the “human firewall” and preventing cyber attacks. Mitnick also highlighted a disturbing trend where companies and even government organizations neglect the threat of social engineering, leading to significant vulnerabilities in their systems. He emphasized the need for companies to address this weak link in their security measures to prevent cyber attacks.
