Hackers Turn Their Talents to Good: Ex-Criminals Urge Manchester Pupils to Use Web Skills for Social Good
Two former hackers who were once part of a notorious cybercrime ecosystem called "The Com" have spoken out about the dangers of internet crime and urged talented teenagers in Manchester to use their gaming and coding skills to fight against evil.
Conor Freeman, 26, from Dublin, was involved in a $2m cryptocurrency theft and served 11 months of his sentence. He is now employed by The Hacking Games as an ethical hacker. Freeman told students at Connell Co-op College near Manchester City's Etihad Stadium that he "fell into" the cybercrime world while playing Minecraft and eventually became involved in hacking people's crypto wallets.
However, Freeman's experience also taught him about the harsh realities of living a life of internet crime. He described how online dramas and disputes among hackers often escalate into violent acts, including people throwing bricks through windows. This is not the stuff of screenplays, but it's all too real for those who have been on the wrong side of the law.
The Co-op group, which suffered a debilitating hack in April last year, has teamed up with The Hacking Games to provide an initiative that identifies talented gamers who can use their skills to help companies fight back against criminal hackers. Fergus Hay, co-founder and chief executive of The Hacking Games, said there is a "100% overlap" between gaming and hacking, and that skills learned in gaming can be used for good.
Hay's company has designed an AI-powered test to identify skills among proficient gamers who could make the jump to cybersecurity. This includes "red teaming," or ethical hacking, where companies' networks are subjected to attacks by expert computer users. The Hacking Games is looking to recruit more young people with gaming and coding skills to join their team.
One of the former hackers, Ricky Handschumacher, a 30-year-old US citizen, also spoke at the event. He told the audience that he would have taken a different path had he known that there were opportunities for him to use his skills for good. The talks were well-received by the students, who were inspired by the speakers' stories and urged to use their digital skills for social good.
The Co-op is planning more Hacking Games talks across its 38 school academies this year. The initiative aims to help young people recognize that their digital skills can be a force for good, protecting people, organizations, and communities rather than being misused or exploited.
Two former hackers who were once part of a notorious cybercrime ecosystem called "The Com" have spoken out about the dangers of internet crime and urged talented teenagers in Manchester to use their gaming and coding skills to fight against evil.
Conor Freeman, 26, from Dublin, was involved in a $2m cryptocurrency theft and served 11 months of his sentence. He is now employed by The Hacking Games as an ethical hacker. Freeman told students at Connell Co-op College near Manchester City's Etihad Stadium that he "fell into" the cybercrime world while playing Minecraft and eventually became involved in hacking people's crypto wallets.
However, Freeman's experience also taught him about the harsh realities of living a life of internet crime. He described how online dramas and disputes among hackers often escalate into violent acts, including people throwing bricks through windows. This is not the stuff of screenplays, but it's all too real for those who have been on the wrong side of the law.
The Co-op group, which suffered a debilitating hack in April last year, has teamed up with The Hacking Games to provide an initiative that identifies talented gamers who can use their skills to help companies fight back against criminal hackers. Fergus Hay, co-founder and chief executive of The Hacking Games, said there is a "100% overlap" between gaming and hacking, and that skills learned in gaming can be used for good.
Hay's company has designed an AI-powered test to identify skills among proficient gamers who could make the jump to cybersecurity. This includes "red teaming," or ethical hacking, where companies' networks are subjected to attacks by expert computer users. The Hacking Games is looking to recruit more young people with gaming and coding skills to join their team.
One of the former hackers, Ricky Handschumacher, a 30-year-old US citizen, also spoke at the event. He told the audience that he would have taken a different path had he known that there were opportunities for him to use his skills for good. The talks were well-received by the students, who were inspired by the speakers' stories and urged to use their digital skills for social good.
The Co-op is planning more Hacking Games talks across its 38 school academies this year. The initiative aims to help young people recognize that their digital skills can be a force for good, protecting people, organizations, and communities rather than being misused or exploited.
... she turned 8 and it was so much fun! We had a big cake, games, and even a mini photo booth with props 
. She loves playing video games, just like those hackers who are now trying to use their skills for good. I wonder if they ever thought about how their actions could affect others... maybe that's why they're trying to change now 
. Anyway, it's great to see people using their talents to make a positive impact. Did you know that the cake was made by a local bakery that uses sustainable ingredients? 
. Their stories might sound crazy, but it's real life stuff we shouldn't ignore. Using gaming skills for good could be a way to stop all that cybercrime nonsense 
. It's about time someone tried to turn things around and show young gamers there's more to life than just hacking and stealing 
. Maybe this initiative will inspire some talented teens in Manchester to use their skills for social good 
. We need more people like Conor Freeman, who took a wrong path but found redemption 
.
. Conor Freeman's story sounds wild, from making a ton of cash in crypto theft to realizing it was all just drama and violence 
. And The Hacking Games thing is pretty smart too - they're basically saying gaming skills can be super useful for good, not just some lame game 
.
. And The Co-op's on the right track too - they're not just talking about "using digital skills for good", they're actually providing something concrete that can make a difference 
.
They're like, proof that you can use your talents for something more than just pulling off sick heists 
But seriously, it's awesome that they're now using their skills to help companies fight back against cybercrime.
. It's like, totally empowering these kids to use their digital skills for good 
. It's time we start talking about these issues in schools and helping kids develop their digital literacy skills 
. We've got to make sure our next gen is equipped to be responsible online citizens, not just hackers 
The Co-op's initiative is gonna help so many young people recognize their power and potential 
I'm so tired of these initiatives trying to "save" us from ourselves. Like, just because two ex-hackers are now "ethically hacking" doesn't mean the problem's solved. What about the rest of us who aren't lucky enough to be recruited by The Hacking Games? Are we supposed to just sit back and wait for our chance to join their team? 
It's not that simple. The issue is much more complex than just some AI-powered test identifying "red teaming" skills in gamers. We need systemic changes, not just a bunch of feel-good talks about using your gaming skills for good. 
Can we please just talk about the actual problems and solutions here instead of just giving lip service? 
Conor Freeman is a perfect example, he went from makin a quick buck online 2 using his hacker skills 2 fight against the bad guys 
Fergus Hay's AI-powered test is genius, I no some gamers wud be perfect 4 ths kinda work 
they told students in Manchester about the dangers of internet crime & how it led them astray 
his story is soooo inspiring 
and the Hacking Games initiative is literally genius 
this is def gonna make a difference in cybersecurity 
I suppose it's worth a shot. But let's not forget that hacking and cybersecurity is a complex issue that requires more than just a few passionate individuals to make a real difference.
! I mean, Conor Freeman's story is super eye-opening – who knew that a game of Minecraft could lead him down a path of cybercrime? 
. But these guys are proof that there's another way - using your skills to help people instead of hurting them 
. Its not just about teaching kids how to code or game, its about teaching them how to use those skills for good 
. Let's give these young hackers (pun intended) the chance to shine and make a real difference in the world 
#HackingForGood #GamingToSocialChange #CybersecurityMatters
. We should all be supporting this kind of thing – it's a win-win for everyone involved! 
. Conor Freeman was involved in a $2m cryptocurrency theft and served 11 months of his sentence. But now he's all about using his skills for good, working with The Hacking Games to help companies fight back against bad guys.