Top 23 Famous Hackers in The World – Find Out Who Is the No. 1 Hacker in the World!

The history of cyber crimes is as old as the history of the internet.

In Q1 2024, Check Point Research (CPR) observed a dramatic increase in cyber attacks. It said firms experience an average of 1308 attacks each week. It’s a 5% increase year-over-year and a 28% jump from Q4 2023. This escalation clearly highlights the critical need for ethical hackers.

Ethical hackers, aka white hats, are security experts who can legally hack into systems to find vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. Let’s just say, they’re the good guys who think like the bad guys, to create a better and safer cyberspace.

Kevin Mitnick is currently considered the no. 1 hacker in the world. But who else is on the list of top 10 hackers in the world? And what certifications and skills do you need to build a career in ethical hacking?

Continue reading to find out.

Become a Successful Ethical Hacker With CEH Certification 

Here are some stats to lose sleep over:

According to cybersecurity firm Purplesec, cybercrime skyrocketed by a staggering 600% during the COVID-19 pandemic. The potential damages can amount to $10.5 trillion by 2025.  

The threat extends beyond data breaches. Malicious actors can potentially compromise medical devices, putting lives at risk. This was starkly illustrated by the late hacker Barnaby Jack. The man exposed vulnerabilities in pacemakers and insulin pumps. 

These escalating threats have spurred organizations to bolster their cybersecurity defenses. They are looking to hire someone to preemptively rectify vulnerabilities.

This growing demand has fueled the popularity of programs like the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). The CEH curriculum is widely regarded as the most comprehensive ethical hacking program available. 

If you are looking for rewarding career opportunities in the cybersecurity industry, join this advanced CEH certification training program powered by Edureka. 

23 Most Famous (and Infamous) Hackers In The World

Ready to find out who the most dangerous hackers in the world are right now? Let’s get to it: 

1. Kevin Mitnick

This bona fide black hat mastered social engineering and phone phreaking. After serving time, Mitnick founded a cybersecurity firm. He also authored books and now helps organizations strengthen their defenses. Many people believe Kevin Mitnick popularized ethical hacking as a career option among youth. 

2. Onel De Guzman

The creator of the notorious ILOVEYOU virus, De Guzman unleashed chaos in 2000. This Philippine-based hacker’s malware was disguised as a love letter. He spread via email, overwriting files and causing billions in damages. De Guzman’s code exploited Visual Basic Scripting to highlight the dangers of macro-enabled attachments.

3. Anonymous

Once considered the world’s biggest hacker group, Anonymous’s influence on global hacker culture deserves a separate discussion. This decentralized group was a major disruptor for governments and big corps. 

Known for their Guy Fawkes masks and “expect us” slogan, Anonymous has carried out high-profile DDoS attacks and data leaks. 

4. Adrian Lamo

The “Homeless Hacker” was notorious for breaching the networks of The New York Times and Microsoft. His unconventional methods included using libraries and coffee shops as bases of operation. Lamo later sparked a huge controversy by reporting Chelsea Manning’s leaks to U.S. authorities.

5. Albert Gonzalez

Albert Gonzalez was a former member of the ShadowCrew hacking group. He orchestrated one of the largest credit card thefts in history. He hacked into major retail chains like TJX Companies and stole over 170 million card numbers. Gonzalez was arrested in 2008 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. 

6. Matthew Bevan and Richard Pryce

This British Hacker duo is known for their joint exploits in the 1990s. They operated under the aliases of Kuji and Datastream Cowboy. They infiltrated the network of the U.S. Air Force in 1994. 

Their exploits raised alarms about the vulnerability of classified information. 

7. Jeanson James Ancheta

Ancheta was considered the no.1 hacker in the world at one point. He had an ungodly ability to exploit network vulnerabilities. He used his botnet for financial gain by selling access to these compromised systems. 

As the pioneer of botnet-for-hire schemes, Ancheta infected thousands of computers with malware to create a massive zombie network. He then rented out this botnet for DDoS attacks and spam campaigns. 

8. Michael Calce (MafiaBoy)

At just 15, Calce launched a series of high-profile DDoS attacks that crippled major websites like Yahoo, CNN, and Amazon. His project “Rivolta” exploited vulnerabilities in university networks. Calce’s actions led to increased awareness of DDoS threats and cybersecurity among major corporations.

9. Kevin Poulsen

Known as “Dark Dante,” Poulsen famously hacked a radio station’s phone lines to win a Porsche. His expertise in phone systems led to breaches of classified military networks. Post-incarceration, Poulsen transitioned to journalism. He went on to become a respected cybersecurity reporter. He later broke significant stories in the field.

10. Jonathan James

Wrapping up the roundup of the best hackers in the world of all time with James, aka cOmrade. He hacked NASA and the Department of Defense at the age of 16. He installed a backdoor in a NASA server to steal source code for the International Space Station’s life support systems. James’s case sparked debates about juvenile sentencing in cybercrime cases.

11. ASTRA

This enigmatic Greek mathematician stole weapons technology data. ASTRA’s sophisticated methods focused on exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities in Dassault’s network infrastructure. The five-year spree cost the company €360 million before ASTRA’s arrest in 2008. This showcased the potential impact of insider threats.

12. Marc Rogers

Next up on this list of the world’s greatest hacks is a white hat hacker known for his work on car security. Rogers exposed vulnerabilities in Tesla’s Model S, Apple’s TouchID, and Google’s Glass. His expertise in cryptography made him a go-to consultant for major tech firms. 

Rogers’ demonstrations at DEF CON have highlighted the growing importance of IoT security in the automotive industry. 

Inspired by the works of Marc Rogers? If you wish to become an ethical hacker like him, join a CEH program today. 

13. Dr. Charlie Miller

Miller won the Pwn2Own competition four times. He found numerous vulnerabilities in Apple products. He was the first to remotely exploit iPhones and Android phones. His demonstration of vulnerabilities in automotive systems led to the recall of 1.4 million vehicles.

14. HD Moore

Moore’s Metasploit Framework transformed penetration testing. His network discovery and exploitation research exposed vulnerabilities in protocols. He also built tools for faster large-scale network assessments to improve internet security.

15. Linus Torvalds

Torvalds was not a traditional “hacker”. His creation of Linux fundamentally changed the concept of open-source security. His work on the Git version control system has become integral to secure software development practices. He helped set new standards for software security.

16. Greg Hoglund

A pioneer in rootkit technology, Hoglund’s work exposed the dangers of kernel-level malware. He co-authored “Rootkits: Subverting the Windows Kernel,” a seminal text in the field. Hoglund’s research into game hacking led to the development of advanced anti-cheat systems. It helped bridge the gap between gaming and cybersecurity.

17. Loyd Blankenship

Blankenship authored the “Hacker Manifesto. He is known as The Mentor as he helped shape hacker culture. His work on early BBSes and phreaking laid the groundwork for modern hacking techniques. Blankenship’s manifesto continues to influence discussions on hacker ethics and motivations.

18. Mark Abene

Known as Phiber Optik, Abene was a central figure in the hacker group Masters of Deception. His expertise in phone systems and network protocols made him a legend in the 90s hacker scene. Post-conviction, Abene transitioned to cybersecurity consulting. He used his deep understanding of telecom vulnerabilities for the greater good. 

19. Tsutomu Shimomura

He is best known for tracking down Kevin Mitnick. Shimomura’s work in intrusion detection and cellular network security was groundbreaking. His book “Takedown” detailed the hunt for Mitnick. 

20. Robert Tappan Morris

He created Morris Worm, one of the first computer worms distributed via the internet. Morris’s 1988 experiment unintentionally caused widespread disruption, leading to the formation of CERT. His work highlighted the potential for self-replicating code to rapidly spread across networks. 

21. Gary McKinnon

McKinnon infiltrated 97 U.S. military and NASA computers between 2001 and 2002. He was searching for evidence of UFOs and free energy suppression. 

He used Perl scripting to uncover administrator passwords and exposed critical vulnerabilities in high-security networks. His case sparked a decade-long extradition battle and debates on hacker motivation and mental health.

22. Julian Assange

He was infamous as the founder of WikiLeaks. Assange’s roots lie in hacking. In his youth, he was part of the Australian hacker group “International Subversives” under the handle “Mendax.” His early exploits included penetrating Pentagon systems and Nortel networks. 

He used his skills to develop encryption tools for WikiLeaks. 

23. Gummo

This former black hatter claims to have earned billions in cryptocurrency through ethical hacking. His expertise lies in high-level penetration testing and vulnerability research. 

Gummo’s transition to bug bounty programs highlights the potential for reformed hackers in cybersecurity. However, due to his anonymity, many of his claims remain unverified. This adds an air of mystery to his reputation in hacking circles.

Final Word

Nobody becomes no. 1 hacker in the world overnight. You need to stay sharp on emerging threats and technologies. Those who made their way to the top are proficient in advanced programming languages. 

Check out our Ethical hacking tutorial today. Master ethical hacking and cybersecurity with a practical, hands-on approach.