Dr. Chase Cunningham. PHOTO: Cybercrime Magazine.

What Hollywood Tells Us About Hackers Isn’t True

Who are cybercriminals and what do they look like?

Steve Morgan, Editor-in-Chief

Sausalito, Calif. – Sep. 26, 2020

Cybercrime Radio’s multimedia director and host Hillarie McClure recently interviewed Dr. Chase Cunningham, author of the book, “Cyber Warfare – Truth, Tactics, and Strategies: Strategic concepts and truths to help you and your organization survive on the battleground of cyber warfare.”

Cunningham, who is based in Washington, D.C., is the former chief cryptologic technician for the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). He is presently a principal analyst serving security and risk professionals at Forrester, and co-founder of TheCynja, developers of CynjaSpace, an internet safety app for kids.

“It’s not what it used to be,” says Cunningham, when asked about the stereotypical hacker in a hoodie — working out of a dark crowded apartment or basement — portrayed by Hollywood in cybercrime-themed movies dating to the 1980s and previous decades.


Cybercrime Radio: Dr. Chase Cunningham

Author and cyber warfare expert on who’s a hacker


Cunningham explained there are cadres of hackers including government and military groups that are well funded by hostile nation-states, money-making cybercriminal gangs, and the general hacker population who are out on their own and more accomplished than you might think.

Listen to the insightful 7-minute interview with Cunningham as he sets the record straight on who’s a hacker. It’s definitely not what Hollywood portrays.

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Steve Morgan is founder and Editor-in-Chief at Cybersecurity Ventures.

Go here to read all of my blogs and articles covering cybersecurity. Go here to send me story tips, feedback and suggestions.