The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Technology & Internet›Hacking›Kevin Mitnick
Technology & Internet • Hacking

Kevin Mitnick

Kevin Mitnick was an American computer security consultant, author, and former hacker who became one of the best-known figures in cybersecurity.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kevin Mitnick was an American computer security consultant, author, and former hacker who became one of the best-known figures in cybersecurity. He was widely known for his 1990s hacking cases, his arrest and conviction, and his later career as a security adviser and public speaker. He died on July 16, 2023, at age 59.

Early life and hacking

Mitnick was born in 1963 in Van Nuys, California. He became known for unauthorized access to computer and communications systems and later became one of the most famous hackers of his era.

Arrest and conviction

In 1995, Mitnick was arrested in connection with computer- and communications-related crimes. He was convicted of fraud and illegally intercepting communications and spent five years in prison.

Cybersecurity career

After prison, Mitnick reinvented himself as a computer security consultant, author, and speaker. He advised organizations on security awareness, including social engineering risks.

Legacy

Mitnick became a highly visible figure in discussions of hacking, computer crime, and cybersecurity. His life is often cited as an example of the shift from offensive hacking to defensive security work.

Key facts

  • Mitnick was convicted in the 1990s for computer- and communications-related crimes.
  • After his release, he worked as a computer security consultant and author.
  • He became a prominent public speaker on cybersecurity and social engineering.
  • Mitnick was known as one of the most famous hackers of the late 20th century.
  • He died in 2023 from pancreatic cancer.
🍁
Canadian context

His story is widely referenced in Canadian cybersecurity education, media, and professional training as a prominent example of hacking, social engineering, and security awareness.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Kevin Mitnick?
Kevin Mitnick was an American computer security consultant, author, and former hacker known for high-profile hacking cases in the 1990s and his later cybersecurity career.
Why was Kevin Mitnick famous?
He became famous for unauthorized access to computer systems, his 1995 arrest, and his later work as a security consultant and speaker.
Was Kevin Mitnick convicted?
Yes. He was convicted of fraud and illegally intercepting communications after his 1995 arrest.
What did Kevin Mitnick do after prison?
He worked in computer security, wrote books, and gave talks on cybersecurity and social engineering.
When did Kevin Mitnick die?
He died on July 16, 2023, at age 59.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Mitnick
    Supports: Birth and death dates, nationality, occupation, arrest, conviction, and prison term.
  2. Association for Computing Machinery — https://ju.acm.org/magazine/articles/kevin-mitnick.html
    Supports: His later role as a security consultant and social engineering educator.
  3. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/kevin-mitnick
    Supports: Biography, arrest history, later consulting career, and death.
  4. Mitnick Security — https://www.mitnicksecurity.com/about-kevin-mitnick
    Supports: Later cybersecurity consulting work and death notice.