Hackers exploit vulnerabilities to steal sensitive information or data of an organization. After stealing the data, a hacker can even sell the data on the dark web.
Most Dangerous Hackers of The World
Today, ransomware is widely adopted by hackers. Ransomware is a sort of malware that blocks or restricts users from accessing their devices.
Gary McKinnon
He was a computer systems administrator but was unemployed. In 2001, he started accessing computer systems that reportedly belonged to the U.S. military. After acquiring access to the computers, he deleted some vital files from the computers. According to the U.S. government, McKinnon had caused damages worth thousands of dollars as he damaged the systems that controlled missiles. The officials claimed this was the biggest attack on computer systems in the U.S. by a sole person.
Michael Bevan and Richard Pryce
These boys were of British origin, and in 1996, the duo began to access computers illegally belonging to U.S. Air Force, NASA & NATO. The duo was responsible for huge system damage as files were moved and deleted. Surprisingly, the duo also broke into a research facility in Korea and ditched the information regarding nuclear programs into USAF while they were moving the files; it could have resulted in a war between North Korea and the U.S. Still, data was also stolen from South Korea as they would have blamed the U.S. and would have carried attacks against the U.S.
Kevin Mitnick
He was one of the most popular hackers of all time. Kevin broke into various computer systems and servers over several years. He mostly broke into systems of telephone and computer companies, and he would copy sensitive data and modify it within computer servers. Kevin also hacked email accounts by stealing passwords; by doing this, he could read emails, and he became a most wanted criminal in the U.S. before he was arrested in 1995. Initially, he was a most wanted hacker, and now he works in a security firm where he helps websites and organizations to secure from hacking attempts.
Vladimir Levin
Since many hackers attack systems of military or other computers to discover sensitive data or for another purpose. In 1994, Levin did the same as he acquired access to the Citibank network, which was able to steal $10 million from the stolen accounts. Levin hailed from Russia, was arrested in the U.K., and was deported to the U.S. He was put behind bars for three years. In the meantime, Citibank bank managed to retrieve $400,000 of the stolen amount.
Michael Calce
Prosecutors claim that the damage to systems was about $7 million. However, analysts approximate the attacks would have caused about $1 billion in global economic damages.
Jeanson James Ancheta
Regular hacking attacks include breaking into computers to use them for illegal purposes, known as a botnet. Similarly, Ancheta managed to confiscate about 500,000 machines. Later he was detained in operation by the FBI and was put behind bars for five years.
Adrian Lamo
Adrian Lamo carried out hacking from Internet Cafes, Libraries, or coffee shops and was a mobile hacker. However, he did it for his entertainment or to summon anyone. He used to hack into a computer system and then notify the admin of the network about the vulnerability in their system. He claimed to be an expert after attaching his name to the database of the “New York Times.” He was also held responsible for leaking government to Wikileaks. He was later arrested in the year 2003.
Owen Walker
He is commonly known as AKILL, Walker was a very talented hacker who carried out numerous attacks on various websites and computer systems over several years. Moreover, he was also held responsible for developing the Akbot virus, as it permitted him to acquire control of about a million computers worldwide to use them to carry out attacks. Experts claim that this virus caused damages of about $26 million.
Albert Gonzalez
Albert was born in Cuba and was blamed for the largest theft of credit card and ATM numbers from 2005 – 2007. According to authorities, Albert stole card details from more than 170 million persons after injecting code into computer systems that he had accessed. After accessing the data illegally, Albert carried out transactions and withdrew money from the targeted accounts. He caused over $200 million in damages, including cash theft and computer systems damage.
Astra
The ASTRA is not the hacker’s real name, as his real name has not yet been released. However, Greek police hinted he was a 58-year-old mathematician in Athens, Greece. Since 2002, he was responsible for various computer attacks, and he further came to light after he broke into systems of Dassault, a French Military organization. After breaking into the systems of Dassault, Astra man sold the censorious details on aircraft and weapons to other persons. According to prosecutors, the Astra man had caused more than $360 million in damages. So, this is the list of dangerous hackers in the world. If you have something more to add, you can mention it in the comment section below.
