14 DAY TRIAL // The series Hackers around the world continues with another hacker from the Southern Hemisphere. This time, I've had the opportunity to speak to a hacker from New Zealand, an actor from the hacking scene you may remember for his many attempts to convince the University of Melbourne to patch up their security.
NZ_Hacker, the hacker I’m talking about, provided some precious insight regarding the life of a gray hat that sometimes takes a step to the dark side.
Softpedia: What is your hacker name and does it have any significance?
NZ_Hacker: Online, it's NZ_Hacker. No real significance.
Softpedia: So what do you consider yourself? White hat, gray hat, black hat, hacktivist? And were you always part of this category?
NZ_Hacker: I started hacking as a Black Hat, which then later made me turn into a Grey Hat. But every now and then you might find me rooting through something which could be classed as illegal. ;)
Softpedia: Some hackers are driven by the intention of making justice, some do it to make money, others do it just for fun. Also, there’s a category that does it out of boredom. In which category are you?
NZ_Hacker: To begin with, it was for mere boredom, but then it got more interesting and fun as it went on. Whilst taking down scamming websites, it was for justice.
Softpedia: Are you part of a group currently, or do you work solo?
NZ_Hacker: I started solo, went into a group which then disbanded. Now I weave in and out, and don't really claim to be in any groups.
Softpedia: How many websites did you take down or breached so far?
NZ_Hacker: I lost count after it clocked 100+. I have no real number. It's almost like asking, how many times have you put your shoes on and off.
Softpedia: How long ago did you start hacking and how old are you now?
NZ_Hacker: I started hacking round, 2.5 years ago and I am currently 18.
Softpedia: Hacking is illegal in most countries and authorities are begining to treat hacking opearations more seriously. Did you have any problems with the law so far?
NZ_Hacker: Never been arrested, but have been told that numerous people have sent my information to police forces. I also was told that the Victorian Police in Melbourne, Au, made subpoenas to people to get more information about me. Softpedia: What were the most important operations you pulled off? The ones that attracted the attention of the authorities..
NZ_Hacker: Well, my team posted some information on Facebook. Then a man came on it and started causing abuse. -Basically- I was told to hack him, I rooted his 2 servers, and leaked them online. He sent that to the police.
Then the AU police were after my information from hacking into the University of Melbourne numerous times.
Softpedia: In the first situation, you were told to hack him? So you acted like a mercenary?
NZ_Hacker: Lol. Yeah pretty much. It was a case of, if you come and abuse us, we will abuse you. This was back in the Black Hat days. The good old days.
Softpedia: So, are you afraid of getting caught? Or do you use some sophisticated measures to hide your identity while hacking?
NZ_Hacker: Other than SSH tunneling and using frequent VPN's when hacking, not much coverage, and no, I'm not afraid of getting arrested for hacking.
Softpedia: How come you're not affraid?
NZ_Hacker: I guess I don't really see the side of the administrators, so I don't know how frustrating it must be when someone like me gains access. I don't really see any harm in anything I do. -Oblivious.-
Softpedia: So you don't leak credit card details or anything like that.
NZ_Hacker: No, most carders are hated among hackers.
Softpedia: So what about your personal life? Where are you from?
NZ_Hacker: I was originally from the U.K. I live in New Zealand at the present. I moved to be close to some family ties I have out here, I will move back soon though.
I've been here for around 4 years now, and I started hacking after I came over.
Softpedia: How about your education? What schools did you go to? Did you learn some programming skills from school, or where did you learn everything you know about hacking?
NZ_Hacker: When I left the U.K I was in High School. As I came to New Zealand, I went into another High School. Which actually didn't teach any form of computing, and the first school only taught you how to use Excel.
I learned how to hack from really just watching YouTube videos, various CON videos such as Defcon, Kiwicon etc. From there I gained a small base of knowledge, and then after that I broadened it from listening to other hackers.
Softpedia: Do you think you'll ever quit hacking?
NZ_Hacker: I think if I was faced with a lot of criminal charges against hacking, then yeah. But until that time comes, not at the moment ;).
Softpedia: So how did the Melbourne university incident end? Did they finally patch up their security?
NZ_Hacker: They patched 2/5 domains by taking them offline for 2 months, and no they're still vulnerable on various other methods of hacking as I implemented a few nights ago. They will always be vulnerable to hackers.
I emailed [email protected] and a man named John Dubois last night on all the vulnerabilities I found in total. (John was the man whom you interviewed). - Still no feedback -
Softpedia: What do you do in your everyday life besides hacking? What are your hobbies?
NZ_Hacker: I like to play the drums, see mates, read Chris Ryan books (Big fan of military writers). My favorites are The Avenger and Killing for the company.
Also, generally I like to chill out.
Softpedia: What are your future plans? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I know this sounds like a question for a job interview, but it's a much more interesting question when the response is comming from a hacker.
NZ_Hacker: I'd like to have a successful job in the I.T. sector, moving away from hacking, starting to appreciate computer systems in a more legit fashion rather than illegal.
Softpedia: So do you have any particular colleges in mind where you think you could learn how to be an IT expert? Melboure University maybe?
NZ_Hacker: Lol. I think I should teach at that university, but there's one local to me which does CNNP and CISSP certs.