Kevin David Mitnick (August 6, 1963 – July 16, 2023) was an American computer security consultant, author, and convicted hacker.

[6] Mitnick's pursuit, arrest, trial and sentence were all controversial, as were the associated media coverage, books and films.

[22] According to the United States Department of Justice, Mitnick gained unauthorized access to dozens of computer networks while he was a fugitive.

[30][31] In 1998, Mitnick was charged in the United States District Court for the Central District of California with 14 counts of wire fraud, eight counts of possession of unauthorized access devices, interception of wire or electronic communications, unauthorized access to a federal computer, and causing damage to a computer.

He admitted to violating the terms of supervised release by hacking into Pacific Bell voicemail and other systems and to associating with known computer hackers, in this case co-defendant Lewis De Payne.

[35] Mitnick served five years in prison—four-and-a-half years' pre-trial and eight months in solitary confinement, because, according to Mitnick, law enforcement officials convinced a judge that he had the ability to "start a nuclear war by whistling into a pay phone",[36] implying that law enforcement told the judge that he could somehow dial into the NORAD modem via a payphone from prison and communicate with the modem by whistling to launch nuclear missiles.

During his supervised release period, which ended on January 21, 2003, he was initially forbidden to use any communications technology other than a landline telephone.

[39] Under the plea deal, Mitnick was also prohibited from profiting from films or books based on his criminal activity for seven years, under a variation of the Son of Sam law.

[7] Though Mitnick was convicted of copying software unlawfully,[42] his supporters argue that his punishment was excessive and that many of the charges against him were fraudulent[43] and not based on actual losses.

The controversy remains and the Mitnick story is often cited today as an example of the influence of news media on law enforcement personnel.

He carried out security consulting for, performed penetration testing services, and taught social engineering classes to companies and government agencies.