Modern Wisdom

#503 - Brett Johnson - The United States' Most Wanted Hacker

Jul 23, 2022

Brett Johnson, known as 'The Original Internet Godfather', shares his wild journey from notorious hacker to cybersecurity expert. He recounts thrilling tales of evading law enforcement, including his prison escape and life on the run. The discussion delves into major cyber events, like the SolarWinds hack, and dissects the complexities of online communities and their implications. Brett also reflects on his transformation and the challenges of reintegration into society, offering valuable insights on digital protection and the evolution of cybercrime.

01:15:28

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Episode guests

Brett Johnson

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Episode notes

Intro

3min

Hacker's Journey: From Shadows to Arrest

22min

The Psychology of Online Communities and Echo Chambers

2min

Unveiling Cyber Crime Dynamics

16min

Evolution of Cybercrime: From Non-Violence to Drug-Driven Violence

4min

Navigating Crime and Punishment

12min

From Incarceration to Redemption

18min

A Compelling Story of Cybercrime and Essential Protection Tips

2min

Brett Johnson is referred to by the United States Secret Service as "The Original Internet Godfather", he was the Founder and Leader of Counterfeit Library and Shadow Crew and has been a central figure in the cybercrime world for almost 20 years.

Brett has been a lifelong criminal, he was committing crimes from inside the Secret Service's own offices, then after being sent to prison he escaped from prison and went on the run to Disneyland, all while defrauding millions. This story is one of the wildest things I've ever heard.

Expect to learn what it feels like to be on the FBI's Most Wanted list, what actually happened with the Solar Winds hack, how Brett was involved in the origins of the darknet, his thoughts on Ross Ulbricht and Silk Road, the closest calls Brett had to being killed, how he evaded capture for so long, whether he thinks Julian Assange is a criminal or a hero and much more...

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Extra Stuff:

Check out Brett's website - https://www.anglerphish.com/

Follow Brett on Twitter - https://twitter.com/GOllumfun

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