Ask AI: Who are the most prolific hackers of all time?

The idea of "prolific hackers" can be subjective and often depends on one's perspective (e.g., the damage caused, technical skill, or impact on the field). Here are a few names commonly mentioned in discussions about prolific hackers: 1. **Kevin Mitnick**: Often dubbed the world's most famous hacker, Mitnick's exploits in the '80s and '90s, including breaking into the systems of major corporations like IBM and Nokia, earned him a spot on the FBI's Most Wanted list. Post-incarceration, he became a respected white-hat hacker and security consultant. 2. **Adrian Lamo**: Known as the "homeless hacker," Lamo gained notoriety by hacking into systems like those of The New York Times and Microsoft. He later became notable for his involvement in the arrest of Chelsea Manning. 3. **Gary McKinnon**: A British hacker who was accused of perpetrating "the biggest military computer hack of all time," McKinnon allegedly hacked into 97 U.S. military and NASA computers, claiming he was looking for evidence of UFOs and free energy suppression. 4. **Albert Gonzalez**: Gonzalez led a group that stole over 170 million credit card numbers from major retailers from 2005 to 2007. He is considered one of the most prolific cyber criminals in U.S. history. 5. **Anonymous**: Not a single individual, but a decentralized hacktivist group that has conducted numerous high-profile cyber attacks, targeting entities like the Church of Scientology, governments, and corporations. 6. **LulzSec**: Another hacktivist group infamous for its various attacks, including those on Sony Pictures and news outlets like Fox and PBS. 7. **Jonathan James**: Known as "c0mrade," James was the first juvenile to be incarcerated for cybercrime in the United States. He hacked into multiple systems, including those of the Department of Defense. 8. **Kevin Poulsen**: Also known as "Dark Dante," Poulsen took over all of the telephone lines for Los Angeles radio station KIIS-FM, ensuring he would be the 102nd caller and win a brand-new Porsche. After serving time, he became a journalist and cybersecurity expert. 9. **Robert Tappan Morris**: Creator of the Morris Worm, one of the first computer worms distributed via the internet, which brought down around 10% of the internet when it was released in 1988. He's now a respected professor at MIT. While these individuals and groups have become well-known for their hacking activities, it's important to remember that the ethics and legality of hacking can vary widely, and many skilled hackers use their abilities for positive purposes, such as improving cybersecurity.