NOVA: Rise of Hackers Abstraction

In the early ages of the internet, not much was known regarding cybersecurity as much as it was a threat back then. In this documentary, Rise of the Hackers, covers the process of cybersecurity specialists Liam O'Murchu (Symantec) and Eric Chien and their experience regarding specific cybersecurity dilemmas that require utilising cryptography.

"The greatest threat today, to the world, is the keyboard"

– Sean McGurk, Rise of the Hackers

Photo from zdnet.com

The documentary begins with the retelling of the events regarding the hacking against Mat Honan (WIRED Magazine). Honan recalls that the attack began on his laptop, and then soon spread to the rest of his devices in an attempt to get a hold of his personal data. Amidst the threat, the hackers were able to contact him via his Twitter account and admitted they were a bunch of teenagers. It was during this exchange that Honan proposed a deal to the youths that if they were to confess their process of hacking, he would not press charges.

The youths complied and said that they were able to hack Hanon via the last three numbers of his credit card. By accessing these, they were able to deduce his Amazon account (which is connected to his credit card), then proceeds to his Apple devices, then within that his Google accounts (such as emails), and then eventually his Twitter account. 

The second story covered by the documentary is regarding the malware Stuxnet. As analysts for the giant cybersecurity firm Symantec, Eric and Liam investigate the viruses that pop up on computers around the world. Most malicious software, or malware, they see is pretty run of the mill. But in July, 2010, they started analyzing a baffling and crafty piece of code that another security company had just posted online: a virus nicknamed Stuxnet.

"This was truly a digital Pandora's Box. Once it was opened, you could not put the lid back on."

– Sean McGurk, regarding Stuxnet in Rise of the Hackers

Left to right: Liam O'Murchu and Eric Chien. Credit to Paul Cooke/@BBC