Darknet Diaries 107: Alethe
72 snips
Dec 21, 2021 
Alethe Denis, a social engineering expert and DEF CON champion, shares her fascinating journey from South Africa to California, highlighting how childhood experiences shaped her skills. She humorously recounts sneaking into a Renaissance Festival and navigating the ethical dilemmas of her profession. Alethe also reveals the challenges of balancing motherhood with her cybersecurity ambitions, showcasing resilience in the competitive realm of social engineering while sharing tips for mastering uncomfortable conversations through humor.
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Sneaking In
- Alethe snuck into the Renaissance Festival for months because her boss forgot her employee pass.
- She learned security guard habits and avoided them until her boss finally noticed.
Early Childhood
- Alethe's childhood involved moving from South Africa to Botswana, then California.
- As a latchkey kid, she learned to shoplift and manipulate adults.
School and Coding
- After moving back to South Africa and attending a strict Catholic school, Alethe fabricated stories, which backfired.
- She later found her passion for computers and coding.