Joe Menn, a technology reporter for Reuters and author of "Cult of the Dead Cow," dives into the world of hacking and cybercrime. He discusses the fascinating history of the Cult of the Dead Cow, America's oldest hacking group, and their surprising role in pushing tech giants like Microsoft to prioritize security. Menn reflects on the evolution of hacker culture, the implications of privacy concerns, and how hacktivism can be a force for good in today's digital landscape. His insights highlight the ongoing challenges in cybersecurity and the need for better regulations.
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Napster's Rise and Fall
Napster, co-founded by Sean Fanning, used peer-to-peer technology, enabling users to share music easily.
This challenged the recording industry's control, leading to legal battles and Napster's eventual closure.
insights INSIGHT
Digital Sharing's Legacy
Napster's peer-to-peer sharing opened digital lives, paving the way for services like Uber and Airbnb.
These services rely on users' willingness to share resources and interact with strangers online.
insights INSIGHT
Early Internet Vulnerabilities
Early internet's lack of security stemmed from its rapid, unregulated growth, catching creators off guard.
Software's inherent vulnerabilities, with bugs in every thousand lines of code, compound this issue.
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Joseph Menn's book explores the evolution of the Cult of the Dead Cow, a group of hackers who began as teenagers in Texas and grew into influential figures in cybersecurity and hacktivism. The book delves into their transformation from pranksters to respected security experts and advocates for internet freedom, highlighting their contributions to the development of ethical hacking and hacktivism. It also examines the broader implications of their actions on technology and society.
Fatal System Error
The Hunt for the New Crime Lords Who are Bringing Down the Internet
Joseph Menn
Fatal System Error delves into the world of cybercrime, focusing on Barrett Lyon and Andrew Crocker as they investigate and prosecute hackers linked to the Russian mob. The book highlights the sophisticated nature of cybercrime and its global implications, revealing how top criminals often receive protection from governments like Russia.
Writer Joe Menn talks with Recode's Kara Swisher about his most recent book, "Cult of the Dead Cow: How the Original Hacking Supergroup Might Just Save the World."
In this episode:
How Menn started writing about cybercrime; the rise and fall of Napster; his first book about hacking, “Fatal System Error”; the origins of Cult of the Dead Cow; “they’re basically good guys”; its invite-only membership and how it works; how it forced Microsoft to take security seriously; how future presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke got involved; what other CDC alumni are doing today; the state of cybercrime in 2019; the complexity of protecting yourself online; the government’s attempts to undermine encryption; the 2020 election; and what the US should do to protect its citizens.
Decoder with Nilay Patel 
