Breaking Badness Inside the Mind of ‘The Gibson’: Ethics, Activism, and the Evolution of Hacking
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Oct 29, 2024 In a captivating conversation, cybersecurity veteran The Gibson shares insights from his 25+ years in InfoSec. He reflects on his early coding days and the evolution of hacker ethics, as well as the impact of iconic groups like Loft and Cult of the Dead Cow. The Gibson discusses the complexities of threat intelligence, diving into how legal actions often clash with moral considerations. He also highlights the significance of privacy-focused projects like Veilid and the revitalization of hacker culture through community collaboration and innovative initiatives.
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Early Hacking Influences
- The Gibson admired groups like The Loft and Cult of the Dead Cow (CDC) for their disruptive work.
- CDC's BackOrifice 2K launch at DEF CON 99 pushed Microsoft to implement Patch Tuesday.
Leaving the Scene
- In 2001, The Gibson's pro-hacktivism stance on an NPR show led to criticism.
- This, along with impending marriage and fatherhood, prompted his 15-year hiatus from the scene.
Threat Intel Accuracy
- Threat intelligence is often perceived as absolute truth, but it's based on probabilities.
- Attribution is hard, and reports usually have some degree of uncertainty.