How Two Kids Hacked the CIA | Zem TV

Summary

The video script narrates a story of two young hackers, known by their aliases Cracka and Phineas Fisher, who made headlines for their audacious cyber-attacks. They targeted powerful entities like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Danish government, causing significant disruptions and raising concerns over privacy and surveillance. The narrative details their motivations, methods, and the consequences they faced for their actions. It also touches upon the broader implications of their hacks, including the public's reaction and the subsequent debate over cybersecurity and civil liberties. The video serves as a cautionary tale about the power and potential dangers of hacking, while also sparking a discussion on the ethical boundaries of digital activism.

Takeaways

• 🔒 In October 2015, a call was received by CIA Director John Brennan from an anonymous number, revealing a significant security breach within the CIA's systems.
• 🧒 The caller, a child, claimed to have hacked the entire CIA system, highlighting the vulnerability of even the most powerful intelligence agencies to such attacks.
• 🇺🇸 The incident was considered a major embarrassment for the CIA, as it was revealed that a teenager had managed to compromise the security of a superpower's intelligence agency.
• 📞 The caller demanded that the United States cease operations in the Middle East, specifically Palestine, and allow for global peace.
• 🚨 Prior to the call, the CIA was already aware that their system had been hacked, indicating a potential failure in their early warning systems.
• 🏃‍♂️ Following the call, the entire US government and the CIA sprang into action, emphasizing the urgency and seriousness with which such breaches are treated.
• 🤝 The story involves two key characters, a hacker known as 'Cracka' from England and another hacker named 'Derplol' from the USA, who were previously unknown to each other.
• 💻 'Derplol' was inspired by the notorious hacking group 'Anonymous' and began his journey in hacking by modifying game rules to win online games.
• 🌐 'Derplol' joined a hacking group that used malware to create a botnet, gaining access to and control over numerous computers.
• 🔥 In 2014, 'Derplol' hacked the Danish government's website in protest of a law allowing increased animal cruelty, demonstrating the power of hacking for political activism.
• 🌟 The hackers 'Cracka' and 'Derplol' eventually connected over their shared disdain for the US government and CIA, leading to a partnership in their hacking activities.
• 📊 Edward Snowden, a former NSA computer intelligence consultant, played a significant role in the story by revealing the extent of the US government's surveillance on its citizens, sparking global outrage.
• 🔎 'Cracka' managed to hack into John Brennan's personal email, obtaining sensitive documents and information, which were then released publicly.
• 🚨 The release of the documents caused a public uproar and damaged the CIA's reputation, leading to an intensified effort to apprehend the hackers.
• 👮‍♂️ Both 'Cracka' and 'Derplol' were eventually arrested, with 'Cracka' receiving a 2-year sentence and 'Derplol' receiving a 5-year sentence due to his involvement in the CIA hacking incident.
• 🔄 Despite their criminal convictions, both individuals have continued to pursue careers in cybersecurity, suggesting a potential for redemption and contribution to the field they once exploited.

Q & A

What significant event took place in October 2015 at the CIA headquarters in Virginia?

In October 2015, an anonymous call was received at the CIA headquarters in Virginia from a child who claimed to have hacked the entire CIA system, an event referred to as the prank call.

What is the significance of the call being referred to as a 'prank call'?

The term 'prank call' is significant as it highlights the unexpected and informal nature of the contact, which would normally not be taken seriously if it were an ordinary person, but in this case, it was directed at the director of a powerful intelligence agency.

What was the name of the hacking community that the child, who made the call, was a part of?

The child, known as Cracker, was a part of a hacking community called 'Crackers with Attitude.'

What was the motivation behind the hacking of the Danish government's website by the group including 'Default'?

The motivation behind hacking the Danish government's website was their anger over a law passed in Denmark that allowed for increased animal cruelty, which was strongly opposed by animal rights activists, including 'Default' who had a dog he loved dearly.

How did Edward Snowden's actions impact the perception of privacy and surveillance by the public?

Edward Snowden's actions of leaking secret information about the NSA's surveillance programs caused a global uproar, making people realize that their data and private actions were being used without their permission, and that they were constantly being monitored.

What was the primary goal of Cracker and Default in their collaboration?

The primary goal of Cracker and Default in their collaboration was to teach the American government and the CIA a lesson about the importance of privacy and the consequences of personal information leaks.

How did Cracker manage to get personal details of CIA Director John Brennan?

Cracker managed to get John Brennan's personal details by hacking into Verizon's internal tech team under the guise of resolving a customer's technical issue, which allowed him to obtain Brennan's account number, backup mobile number, and the last four digits of his bank card.

What was the turning point that led to the arrest of Cracker and Default?

The turning point that led to their arrest was when Default, in a moment of inebriation, confessed to a friend about being behind the CIA hacking, which led to both of them being tracked down and apprehended by the authorities.

What were the consequences faced by Cracker and Default after their arrest?

Cracker, whose real name was Ken Gamble, was sentenced to 2 years in prison due to his young age, while Default, whose real name was Justin Gray Liverman, was given a 5-year sentence as he was not directly involved in the CIA hacking.

What was the role of the hacker group 'Anonymous' in inspiring Default to enter the world of hacking?

The hacker group 'Anonymous' played a significant role in inspiring Default by making headlines with their high-profile hacks and messages on major websites, which led Default to become impressed and motivated to take steps into the world of hacking.

What was the initial act of hacking that Default carried out, and what was its impact?

Default's initial act of hacking was to infiltrate a medical college's financial records in Canada and delete the records, causing chaos and confusion within the college's administration.

What measures did the CIA take to protect the identity of its agents after the hacking incident?

The CIA took measures such as not writing any agent's name on the coffee cups provided by a Starbucks branch within their headquarters to prevent tracing the agents through such small details.