This reads like an elaborate humble-brag. You'll have no problem finding a senior position in cyber security if that's what you want. Like others have mentioned, sounds like you could probably do a lot of good (for the public and yourself) hunting bug bounties.
Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
111–120 of 158 posts
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#112Earlier quoted context omitted.
“As long as you're open about your past and convictions” 100% this. We had someone who hid that he was previously gone to prison for robbing banks. He used his dad’s SSN and slipped through the cracks. He was terminated immediately when a girl who was mad at him called our company to let us know to get back at him. You can’t know for sure if people will look past your history, but I can guarantee you don’t want to hi…
Sounds like place he was at accepted him just fine until dumb bitch ratted him out for something that happened outside of work. Dude got a good run at least. Not lying about convictions sounds great from the pious ivory tower or from seasoned professionals who may have enough experience that others are able to look beyond their past. Dude already did his time, in my book the conviction doesn't exist anymore. My hones…
Vouched because of the good conversations going on downthread. Parent is pretty crude. I can live with crudeneess and bring the quality of the conversation up.
Anyways, I've wholeheartedly recommended lying in certain situations on employment. (Don't lie about certified/licensed/bonded jobs, dont like to the state/feds, dont lie about stuff you cant do.)
A while back (2009), I was in a very bad run. Got laid off. Didn't have a job for 1.5y . And it's hard to get back in work without already having a job... You get the side-eyes of "why werent you working this time???" crap.
So, I started lying on my resumes. I found a company that went bankrupt 2 towns over, and put them as employed in a role I'm easily capable of. Am I lying? Absolutely. Can I do the role? Absolutely.
I got the job, unsurprisingly enough. And I was there for 1y, enough to get a better work history to get out of the rut I was in. And I hopped from there to a better position, all the while slowly cleaning up the fakeness from my resume all the while generating a valid work history.
It sucks, sure, that there's no good way to break in the work-world if you've been ejected. (Que entry-level jobs that require 5y experience...) Frankly, vs starvation, homelessness, destitution - you damn straight I'll lie. And if I have to, I will definitely do it again. Capitalism is stone-cold and heartless. And if that's what I have to be to survive in the work-world to make money, so be it.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#113Have you looked into auditing decentralized finance (defi) protocols? There is currently a huge demand and very low supply of good auditors. I believe there also are very many "anon" auditors in the space, so your past would not be a big problem I don't think.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#114Earlier quoted context omitted.
Nope. The only background checks I've ever had working for Americans was law enforcement / intelligence agency software (I was working for a Canadian company and they sold to them) and a contract for the Nasdaq. Other than that, it's just been straight skills and reputation. Even if it did come up he could always say that he assumed they would ask for a background check if they cared about this type of thing. Just le…
I've seen background checks at most of the mid-to-large sized tech companies I've worked at.
I believe you, but I haven't. Though I haven't done much large sized tech company work other than the Nasdaq gig I mentioned, which was background checked.
I think the overall point doesn't really change. Apply. Let other people dismiss.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#115Earlier quoted context omitted.
Sounds like place he was at accepted him just fine until dumb bitch ratted him out for something that happened outside of work. Dude got a good run at least. Not lying about convictions sounds great from the pious ivory tower or from seasoned professionals who may have enough experience that others are able to look beyond their past. Dude already did his time, in my book the conviction doesn't exist anymore. My hones…
Vouched because of the good conversations going on downthread. Parent is pretty crude. I can live with crudeneess and bring the quality of the conversation up. Anyways, I've wholeheartedly recommended lying in certain situations on employment. (Don't lie about certified/licensed/bonded jobs, dont like to the state/feds, dont lie about stuff you cant do.) A while back (2009), I was in a very bad run. Got laid off. Did…
Yeah when I wound up homeless, I started applying for lots of wage labor. I quickly found out they had no interest in hiring a college educated white-collar worker. I may or may not have discovered* that if I were to have changed my resume to all shit / labor jobs (while keeping everything else the same so I could remember the companies well), they would employ me. I would have been able to dig myself out of my rut and get stable employment in a factory until I could get back into tech.
After working in factory few months, I was able to get apartment. With apartment, I was able to get myself nice looking and clean and tech job.
My process from day labor/ homeless (save up enough for airbnb/hotel) -> wage job (save up for apartment) -> professional job at this point is pretty much a well oiled machine. Sadly the first two steps basically require dishonesty. I've only been through this a couple times in my life and hope not to again.
*This is all fiction, of course.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#116Are you sure you want a typical job? To me, you look like an accomplished professional ready to run his own gig either by himself or by employing a handful of people. Find a market niche, work on your personal brand, advertise and get to work! I have no doubt your personal satisfaction will be equal or even greater than working for somebody else via a regular job.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#117This is probably unhelpful but you should consider just being a consultant for hire. I think your abilities will speak for themselves and your reputation will speak much louder than your lack of official training. I doubt you'd even need to disclose your criminal history for most clients.
Also you may find it better to network with hiring managers vs filling out online job applications. The HR screening is going to bury you many times where a human could help you side step it.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#118Kevin Mitnick is running a cybersecurity business right now. Maybe reach out to him.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#119Earlier quoted context omitted.
>you don't need to be the one to bring it up Yes, you do. I don't know about other countries, but everywhere in the US runs a background check. You will get a reasonable "no" rate, but telling people your situation is very much better than looking like you were hiding it when they eventually find out. OP probably would have the most success with a pen-testing firm or similar.
Nope. The only background checks I've ever had working for Americans was law enforcement / intelligence agency software (I was working for a Canadian company and they sold to them) and a contract for the Nasdaq. Other than that, it's just been straight skills and reputation. Even if it did come up he could always say that he assumed they would ask for a background check if they cared about this type of thing. Just le…
Every job that requires SOC-2 compliance, which is most SaaS services, must require background checks for new employees.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#120Earlier quoted context omitted.
With blackmail and fraud convictions (and a 3-year prison sentence behind you), I would hope that nobody would give you a job with access to systems that enable you to get at personal information or money. That's their business, of course; but they'd presumably be exposed to an action for negligence if something went wrong as a result of them employing someone with that record. Blackmail and fraud are both offences t…
Yeah, once someone makes a mistake they should absolutely be barred from gainful employment forever! That will teach them... that they should remain criminals. Yeah!
Yeah. Well, No.
A physician who harms his patients through negligence or malice gets struck-off.
A lawyer who steals his clients' money gets disbarred.
A banker who mismanages his clients' funds loses his banking licence.
If any of those was found guilty of using information from their clients to blackmail them, they'd have no future in their chosen trade - ever.