169: MoD

The episode delves into the exploits of the Masters of Deception (MOD), a 1990s hacking group, and their clash with the Legion of Doom (LOD). It highlights MOD's rise to prominence, fueled by FiberOptic's exceptional hacking skills and a powerful backdoor into TimeNet, a precursor to the modern internet, which allowed them to access sensitive systems, including those of the NSA and Bank of America. The narrative explores the escalating hacker war between MOD and LOD, marked by pranks, insults, and the eventual involvement of law enforcement. The formation of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is discussed, catalyzed by Operation Sun Devil and the perceived overreach of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), which led to arrests and legal battles.