From Hacker to Hero: The Michael Calce Story – How 'Mafia Boy' Took Down The Internet

03/22/25 • 30 min

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Summary
This episode explores the true cybercrime story of Michael Calce, also known as Mafia Boy, who was responsible for taking down major websites like Yahoo, E-Trade, eBay, and more during the dot com bubble. Michael's journey into hacking began when he received his first computer at the age of six and became fascinated with the idea of controlling and commanding it. He joined an elite Russian hacker group called TNT and used their resources to carry out his attacks. Despite covering his tracks, Michael was eventually caught due to his bragging in IRC chat rooms. He was sentenced to probation and has since become an ethical hacker, raising awareness about cybersecurity.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Early Years of Michael Calce
06:39 Joining the TNT Hacker Group
18:29 The Takedown: Bringing Down Major Websites
23:26 The Arrest and Aftermath
28:10 The Changing Landscape of Hacking
29:05 Conclusion: From Cybercriminal to Ethical Hacker

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Early Years of Michael Calce
06:39 Joining the TNT Hacker Group
18:29 The Takedown: Bringing Down Major Websites
23:26 The Arrest and Aftermath
28:10 The Changing Landscape of Hacking
29:05 Conclusion: From Cybercriminal to Ethical Hacker

Send us a text

Growth without Interruption. Get peace of mind. Stay Competitive-Get NetGain. Contact NetGain today at 844-777-6278 or reach out online at www.NETGAINIT.com

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Cyber Crime Junkies - From Hacker to Hero: The Michael Calce Story – How 'Mafia Boy' Took Down The Internet

Transcript

Summary

This episode explores the true cybercrime story of Michael Calce, also known as Mafia Boy, who was responsible for taking down major websites like Yahoo, E-Trade, eBay, and more during the dot com bubble. Michael's journey into hacking began when he received his first computer at the age of six and became fascinated with the idea of controlling and commanding it. He joined an elite Russian hacker group called TNT and used their resources to carry out his attacks. Despite covering