Kevin Mitnick

Timeline: A Life in Cybersecurity

• 1963 - Kevin Mitnick is born on August 6 in Van Nuys, California.
• 1979 - At the age of 16, Mitnick successfully hacks into the computer network of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) and copies their software.
• 1981 - Arrested for hacking into DEC's network, Mitnick is convicted and sentenced to probation.
• 1983 - Mitnick is arrested for hacking into the Pentagon's computer network and sentenced to six months in a juvenile detention center.
• 1987 - Arrested for hacking into the voicemail system of Pacific Bell, Mitnick faces legal consequences once again.
• 1989 - Mitnick is arrested for stealing software from the Santa Cruz Operation and sentenced to a year in prison, followed by six months in a halfway house.
• 1992 - Mitnick goes on the run after being accused of breaching several companies' systems. The FBI issues a warrant for his arrest, and he becomes a fugitive.
• 1995 - Captured by the FBI in Raleigh, North Carolina, on February 15, Mitnick is charged with multiple counts of wire fraud and computer fraud. He is held in custody, often in solitary confinement, awaiting trial.
• 1999 - Mitnick pleads guilty to charges of wire fraud, computer fraud, and illegal interception of communications. He is sentenced to 46 months in prison plus 22 months for violating the terms of his supervised release from a previous conviction.
• 2000 - Mitnick is released from prison on January 21 after serving five years, including pre-trial detention.
• 2002 - Publishes "The Art of Deception," co-authored with William L. Simon, focusing on social engineering tactics used in hacking.
• 2003 - Establishes Mitnick Security Consulting, LLC, offering security consulting services to businesses worldwide.
• 2005 - Publishes "The Art of Intrusion," co-authored with William L. Simon, exploring real-life hacker stories and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
• 2011 - Releases "Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker," an autobiography detailing his hacking exploits and life on the run.
• 2017 - Publishes "The Art of Invisibility," focusing on privacy and security in the digital age, providing tips on staying anonymous online.
• 2018 - 2023 - Mitnick remains active in the cybersecurity community, frequently speaking at conferences, advising on security matters, and continuing to educate through various media.
• 2023 - Kevin Mitnick passes away on July 16, 2023, after battling pancreatic cancer.