this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2023
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[–] peyotecosmico@programming.dev 44 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year 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.

[–] BenLloydPearson@programming.dev 22 points 1 year 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@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year 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!

[–] BarrierWithAshes@kbin.social 32 points 1 year ago

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

[–] Gutotito@kbin.social 27 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

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

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

[–] niktemadur@lemmy.world 21 points 1 year 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@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago

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

[–] TIEPilot@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

FREE KEVIN! '99

[–] porksoda@lemmy.world 20 points 1 year ago (1 children)

His book Ghost in the Wires is a fantastic read.

[–] PurpleGameBoy@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Truly fantastic book.

[–] spacedancer@lemmy.world 20 points 1 year ago (2 children)

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

[–] Underwear@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year 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.

[–] dismalnow@kbin.social 19 points 1 year 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.

[–] BenLloydPearson@programming.dev 19 points 1 year ago

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

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 year ago

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

[–] ikidd@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

And with his first child on the way.

Fucking universe...

Free Kevin.

[–] outcide@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

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

[–] 4am@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

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

[–] Landmammals@lemmynsfw.com 8 points 1 year ago

That is way too young. RIP.

[–] TIEPilot@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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

FREE KEVIN '99!

[–] attn_dfct_dev@programming.dev 5 points 1 year 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.

[–] null@zerobytes.monster 5 points 1 year ago

Rest in peace, legend! 😢

[–] SeedyOne@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 year ago
[–] prole@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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

[–] electrogamerman@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

RIP Legend!

[–] syphe@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago

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

[–] PurpleGameBoy@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

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

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