The Story of CIA Hackers

 

The Story of CIA Hackers: October 2015

In October 2015, at CIA Headquarters in Virginia, John Brennan received a call from an unknown number. The caller seemed to be a child who informed Brennan that he had hacked the CIA's system. This call, which would have been dismissed as a prank if made to an ordinary person, was a serious breach for the CIA, the world's most powerful intelligence agency. The director of the CIA, Brennan, had his personal mobile number exposed, indicating a significant security lapse.

This story revolves around two kids who managed to hack the CIA systems, causing massive embarrassment to the agency. Their demand was for the United States to stop its attacks in the Middle East, particularly in Palestine, and to let the world live in peace. This hacking incident had far-reaching consequences for the CIA and the American government.

The investigation revealed that the call originated from England, made by a 15-year-old boy from Leicester who called himself "Craka." He led a hacking community named "Crackers with Attitude." Another key figure in this story is "Default," a video game enthusiast from Virginia, USA, who learned hacking techniques from the internet and was inspired by the Anonymous hacking group.

Early Hacking Activities

Default's early hacks were minor, targeting small websites. However, he aimed for bigger targets and eventually joined a hacking group called AnonSec, which was known for its political hacks. This group used botnets to spread viruses and gain control over numerous computers. Default managed to hack into a Canadian medical college's financial records, marking his first significant hacking success.

In 2014, in response to a Danish law allowing sexual abuse of animals, Default hacked Denmark's official website and various pro-animal abuse websites. This hack brought global attention and led to the law's repeal, although Anonymous was wrongly credited for the act.

Formation of a Partnership

In 2013, Edward Snowden, an NSA consultant, revealed that the CIA was collecting data on internet users, prompting Default and Craka to join forces. They aimed to teach the CIA a lesson by hacking its systems and exposing its private information.

The CIA Hack

Craka first hacked the phone number of James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, making it public. Next, he targeted John Brennan. Posing as an employee of Verizon, he obtained Brennan's personal details and used them to access his email account. Craka then downloaded and published top-secret documents, including data on other CIA officers, leading to a global uproar.

Consequences and Arrests

Despite their efforts to remain anonymous, Default and Craka were eventually caught. Default, who lived in the USA, was betrayed by a friend during a drunken conversation. The FBI raided his home, leading to his arrest and the identification of Craka. Craka, whose real name is Ken Gamble, was arrested by British police. Default, identified as Justin Gray Liverman, received a five-year prison sentence, while Craka was sentenced to two years due to his young age.

Today, both have completed their sentences and are pursuing careers in cybersecurity. Their story raises questions about the ethics of their actions and the impact of hacking on privacy and national security.

Reflection

Do you think Default and Craka did the right thing? Share your thoughts in the comments. Thank you for watching this video from Jam TV. Please like and share if you enjoyed it.