Hacking Past and Present: A Conversation with Moses Frost

Moses Frost, an offensive security expert, shares his journey into cybersecurity in this episode of the Phillip Wylie Show. Frost's interest in computers started in elementary school when he taught himself how to use an old IBM 8088 and read about DOS. He later discovered bulletin board systems (BBS) and began exploring the world of hacking. Frost's curiosity and passion for computers led him to pursue a career in offensive security, where he helps companies prevent cyber attacks.

Frost discusses his early experiences with BBS, including learning how to manipulate phone lines and bypass security systems. He also shares a story about getting doxxed after logging into an elite bulletin board and angering the admin. After high school, Frost became an auto mechanic but eventually returned to his love of computers and signed up for an A+ class. He started building systems for a company but was treated poorly and decided to better himself by learning how to use Windows NT four on his own laptop.

Later, Frost talks about his early experiences with Linux and how he figured out how to get drivers on his laptop. He eventually got a job at a hospital as a temp worker for PC support, where he developed a process to make desktop imaging faster and migrated 10,000 desktops to the system. Despite being in his teens, Frost was able to lead his senior colleagues and eventually got hired by the hospital.

The conversation also touches on the early days of cybersecurity when people were not aware of the risks and how easy it was for threat actors to exploit vulnerabilities. However, with the industry growing and maturing, the tools have become more sophisticated, and it takes a lot more to be a good pen tester now than it did in the past. Frost explains the complexity of hospital systems and the various technologies used in them. He also talks about the hospital's network, which was on the internet in 92-93 and was given a slash 16. Frost was tasked with upgrading the hospital's firewalls, which were originally Windows NT, to Nokia boxes.

Frost recommends starting small and expanding one's skillset to get into pen testing. He advises against trying to learn everything and instead encourages people to focus on what they enjoy and are good at. He also cautions against trying to become someone important or famous on social media, as it can be a trap that distracts from learning and growth. Frost's story highlights the importance of pursuing one's passions and constantly striving to improve oneself.

Moses' social media:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mosesfrost/

https://twitter.com/mosesrenegade

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