Why don't you continue to do white hat hacking, and chase for bug bounties? Why would you ever want to be employed by some corporation?
Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
21–30 of 158 posts
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#22A bunch of friends just look for and then sell vulnerabilities (the good ones to bug boundary programs the less ethical ones to governments or companies). The price of a zero day exploit is quite high (for both sides) and I have friends who make much more money than I do doing this. That said they mostly work alone or in small groups in their basement rather than at a large security company. I would hire (or at least…
Just out of curiosity what's "high"'
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#23One of my main consulting clients is always looking for people who are interested in or experienced in cybersecurity research.
https://www.riverloopsecurity.com/careers/
I can't guarantee anything, but just from what you've written here, I think they'd be interested in a conversation.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#24If I was in your position I would post your contact information, even a throw away account on this post as you’re on the front page of hn and you might never get to have this great of an opportunity again to find legal employment.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#25Hacking is one thing. I understand the technical thrill. But blackmail and fraud? That's a human-to-human interaction, not human-to-machine. Once a person cross that line where you are harming another person at that level, there is no going back.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#26> Serious Organised Crime Unit
Are you based in the UK? That's probably relevant, it seems like a lot of the cybersecurity sector over here is very friendly with NCSC & SC is required for a lot of roles.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#27Own it, and capitalize on it! You've already written the first sentence of your sales pitch: "I was involved in a high-profile computer hacking case in 2015 which received international interest."
Continue with "therefore I know about system security...". Write a book, charge a huge rate as a consultant. I'm serious. If you act like a beaten-down person, you'll be treated as one.
It's classic making lemonade from lemons, but it can really work. If not, you've lost nothing.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#28Become a developer, never mention your struggles again post hire.
I’ve never worked anywhere that would hire an ex con. Have you?
I have never been asked this question for employment. In my country being forbidden to work in some area is an extra sentence that the judge would impose (it's mostly around being forbidden to manage a company, being elected, or using weapons) and would be checked by the probation officer, not the employer.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#29Your issue is not competence, nobody will doubt that you are capable.
What you need is to show people that you're not going to cause trouble for them, which is more of a social skill that you demonstrate at the interview. Try to acknowledge that you did something bad, don't use words that diminish it, and try to explain that you want to move on and you now want to be a positive force.
There's going to be some natural questions that everyone will ask, so consider them as set-pieces and practice your answers.
The market is hot now, so get some interviews and see what comes up.
Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?
#30Become a developer, never mention your struggles again post hire.
I’ve never worked anywhere that would hire an ex con. Have you?
The vast majority will, some won’t. Some aren’t even allowed to based on their investors, client set or subject matter.
The longer it is in your past, the easier it is to overlook. It’s more about the actual charge than anything. Obviously some charges are harder to justify ignoring.
Source: I’m a felon. Been there, done that.