How Two Kids Hacked the CIA | Zem TV

Zem TV

25 Apr 202413:10

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Anonymous Hackers Expose CIA Systems

In October 2015, the CIA Director John Brennan received an anonymous call from a child claiming to have hacked the entire CIA system. Known as a prank call, this incident was a significant embarrassment for the CIA. The caller demanded that the US cease its attacks in the Middle East and allow for world peace. It was later revealed that the call came from a 15-year-old boy in England, who went by the name Cracker and ran a hacking community called 'Crackers with Attitude'. The story also mentions another hacker, known only by his default name, who was inspired by the notorious hacking group Anonymous. This hacker, based in Virginia, started modifying video games for personal gain and eventually joined a hacking group that targeted political websites.

05:01

😠 Hacktivist Actions Against Denmark's Animal Rights Law

The story then shifts to a Danish law that allowed increased sexual activity with animals, which angered animal rights activists worldwide. A hacker known as Default, who owned a dog he loved dearly, was particularly upset by this law. In retaliation, Default and his group hacked the official Danish government website, leaving messages criticizing the law. They also attacked websites created in support of the law, effectively shutting them down. This led to widespread condemnation of Denmark's actions and eventually forced the Danish government to repeal the law the following year. However, the credit for this hack was mistakenly given to the Anonymous group, which frustrated Default, who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of being traced and facing severe consequences.

10:02

😱 Collaboration Between Cracker and Default to Expose CIA Director

The narrative then connects Cracker and Default, who decided to collaborate to teach the US government and CIA a lesson. They were inspired by Edward Snowden, a former NSA computer intelligence consultant, who leaked classified information about the US government's surveillance programs. Snowden's actions sparked global outrage over privacy invasions. Cracker and Default aimed to make the CIA realize how it feels when personal information is leaked. They first publicly disclosed the phone number of the Director of the US National Intelligence Agency. Their next target was CIA Director John Brennan. Cracker managed to obtain Brennan's personal details by hacking into Verizon's internal tech team under the guise of solving a customer's problem. With this information, they were able to access Brennan's email account, which contained top-secret documents and personal information of other CIA officers. Cracker then started publicly releasing these documents, causing a scandal and damaging the CIA's reputation.

😕 The Downfall and Arrest of Cracker and Default

Despite their success, both hackers faced eventual capture. Cracker was arrested after sharing his involvement in the CIA hacking with a friend while under the influence of alcohol. Default was also arrested, but his involvement in the CIA hacking was not directly proven. As a result, Cracker, whose real name was Ken Gamble, received a 2-year prison sentence, while Default, whose real name was Justin Gray Liverman, received a 5-year sentence. Both have since been released and continue to advance their careers in cybersecurity. The video concludes by asking viewers for their thoughts on whether Cracker and Default did the right or wrong thing and encourages them to share their comments.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Hacking

Hacking refers to the unauthorized access to computer systems or networks with the intent to exploit or cause harm. In the video, it is a central theme as it discusses how two individuals, known as 'Cracka' and 'Phineas Fisher,' hacked into the CIA's systems and other high-profile targets, highlighting the vulnerability of even the most secure systems.

💡Anonymity

Anonymity is the state of being unidentified or unacknowledged. In the context of the video, it is crucial as it describes how the hackers operated under pseudonyms to protect their identities while carrying out their activities. Anonymity is also a key aspect of the hacker group 'Anonymous,' which inspired the hackers.

💡Edward Snowden

Edward Snowden is a former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor who leaked classified information from the NSA in 2013. His actions are significant to the video's narrative as they exposed the extent of global surveillance programs, which in turn inspired the hackers to take action against perceived injustices.

💡Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity involves the protection of internet-connected systems, including hardware, software, and data, from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. The video emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity through the story of the hackers who breached the CIA's systems, demonstrating the need for robust security measures.

💡CIA

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is the foreign intelligence service of the United States. In the video, the CIA is depicted as a powerful intelligence agency whose systems were hacked by the individuals, showcasing a significant breach in what was supposed to be a secure environment.

💡Hacktivism

Hacktivism is the use of hacking skills to promote a social or political cause. The video discusses how the hackers were motivated by hacktivism, targeting government websites and exposing what they perceived as injustices, such as animal cruelty and privacy invasions.

💡Personal Information

Personal information refers to data that can be used to identify or contact a person, such as their name, address, and social security number. The video highlights the risks of personal information being leaked or misused, as seen when the hackers accessed and disclosed private details of government officials.

💡Botnet

A botnet is a network of private computers infected with malicious software and controlled as a group without the owners' knowledge. In the video, the hackers used a botnet to amplify their hacking capabilities, taking control of multiple computers to launch coordinated attacks.

💡Cybersecurity Breach

A cybersecurity breach occurs when unauthorized access is gained to a computer or network. The video recounts several breaches, including the hacking of the CIA's systems and the Danish government's website, emphasizing the consequences of such breaches on national security and public trust.

💡Social Engineering

Social engineering is the use of deception to manipulate individuals into revealing confidential information. In the video, it is mentioned how one of the hackers used social engineering techniques to trick a mobile operator's technical team into revealing personal details of the CIA director.

💡Privacy

Privacy refers to the state of being free from unauthorized intrusion or surveillance. The video's theme revolves around privacy concerns, particularly how the actions of the hackers exposed the extent to which personal privacy can be compromised in the digital age.

💡Law Enforcement

Law enforcement refers to the federal, state, and local government agencies responsible for enforcing the law and maintaining public safety. In the video, law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and British police, are depicted as actively pursuing the hackers to bring them to justice.

Highlights

October 2015: CIA Director John Brennan receives a call from an unknown number, claimed by a child who says they've hacked the entire CIA system.

The call, initially dismissed as a prank, gains seriousness due to Brennan's high-profile status.

The story unfolds about two children who managed to hack the CIA and cause embarrassment to the U.S. as a superpower.

The hackers' identity reveal: The call originated from Leicester, England, by a 15-year-old known as 'Cracka'.

Backstory of another hacker, 'Default', begins in 2008 Virginia, inspired by the hacking group Anonymous.

Default, motivated by a law in Denmark allowing animal abuse, hacks Denmark's official website in protest.

The collective outrage leads to Denmark's government retracting the law the following year.

The infamous Edward Snowden revelation in 2013 connects the paths of Cracka and Default.

Both hackers united by a desire to expose government overreach in privacy.

Their hacking spree includes making CIA Director John Brennan’s personal phone number public.

Cracka uses social engineering to access Brennan's personal Verizon account and then his email.

They leak sensitive CIA documents, causing a security and public relations crisis.

After publishing thousands of personal details of government officials online, they provoke a nationwide alarm.

The eventual capture of Cracka and Default, leading to significant legal consequences.

Post-release, both individuals redirect their efforts towards careers in cybersecurity.

The video ends by asking viewers for their opinion on the hackers' actions and to engage further by liking and sharing the video.