160: Greg

160: Greg

Jul 1, 2025 97m

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Episode Description

Greg Linares (AKA Laughing Mantis) joins us to tell us about how he became the youngest hacker to be arrested in Arizona.

Follow Greg on Twitter: https://x.com/Laughing_Mantis.

Sponsors

Support for this show comes from ThreatLocker®. ThreatLocker® is a Zero Trust Endpoint Protection Platform that strengthens your infrastructure from the ground up. With ThreatLocker® Allowlisting and Ringfencing™, you gain a more secure approach to blocking exploits of known and unknown vulnerabilities. ThreatLocker® provides Zero Trust control at the kernel level that enables you to allow everything you need and block everything else, including ransomware! Learn more at www.threatlocker.com.

This show is sponsored by Red Canary. Red Canary is a leading provider of Managed Detection and Response (MDR), helping nearly 1,000 organizations detect and stop threats before they cause harm. With a focus on accuracy across identities, endpoints, and cloud, we deliver trusted security operations and a world-class customer experience. Learn more at redcanary.com.

This show is sponsored by Miro. AI doesn’t have to be intimidating—in fact, it can help your team thrive. Miro’s Innovation Workspace changes that by bringing people and AI together to turn ideas into impact, fast. Whether you’re launching a new podcast, streamlining a process, or building the next big thing, Miro helps your team move quicker, collaborate better, and actually enjoy the work. Learn more at https://miro.com/.

AI-Generated Summary

Just a Kid with a Computer

Greg, recalling his early years, shares how he discovered computers at a young age thanks to his father's unique hobby of dumpster diving for computer parts. These experiences with technology fostered an obsession with computers that led him to explore programming and hacking, even at a young age.

High School Hijinks and Narcolepsy

Greg describes his chaotic high school experience, particularly around the time of nearly failing due to consistent tardiness in a typing class where he excelled academically but struggled to arrive on time. The resulting challenges with a vice principal eventually led to a comical yet stressful situation that required some clever problem-solving.

The Rise of a Young Hacker

Greg reminisces about becoming the youngest hacker arrested in Arizona. His journey included writing malware for good reasons, targeting pedophiles, but ultimately getting caught and spending time in juvenile detention. His reflections reveal the struggles and misunderstandings that shaped him during this tumultuous time.

Adventures in Penetration Testing

The podcast takes a turn as Greg dives into professional life in cybersecurity, particularly focusing on penetration testing. He shares harrowing and humorous stories about attempts to hack major organizations, including a venture capital company and unique methods he utilized, from fooling physical security to exploiting networks. His creativity in these situations illustrates the ongoing battle between hackers and security teams.

Corporate Espionage and the Mischief of Hacking

Further discussions lead to a deep dive into the world of corporate espionage, where Greg humorously shares tales of how he navigated various corporate environments with his goth persona while effectively testing their security. Despite the serious nature of these operations, his ability to inject humor and creativity made for engaging narratives.