DEF CON is creating a repository of hacking and computer security related media. If you have content that you would like archived and streamed, send a note to our webmaster. We can even convert and encode if necessary.
Hacker Documentaries, Videos & Shorts
ALGORITHM: The Hacker Movie
by Jonathan Schiefer
A freelance computer hacker breaks into secret government contractor and downloads a program. He must choose between his own curiosity and the lives of his friends.
Hacker Movie - 2014 - ALGORITHM The Hacker Movie.mp4
The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz
by Brian Knappenberger
Filmmaker Brian Knappenberger explores the life and work of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz.
Hacker Documentary - 2014 - The Internets Own Boy - The Story of Aaron Swartz.mp4
Horizon: Inside the Dark Web
by BBC
Twenty-five years after the world wide web was created, it is now caught in the greatest controversy of its existence - surveillance. With many concerned that governments and corporations can monitor our every move, Horizon meets the hackers and scientists whose technology is fighting back. It is a controversial technology, and some law enforcement officers believe it is leading to risk-free crime on the dark web - a place where almost anything can be bought, from guns and drugs to credit card details.
Hacker Documentary - 2014 - BBC Horizon E4 Inside the Dark Web.mp4
How Hackers Changed the World
by BBC
Documentary that goes inside the complex network and history of Anonymous, the radical online 'hacktivist' collective. Through interviews with current members - some recently returned from prison, others still awaiting trial - as well as writers, academics and major players in various 'raids', the film traces the collective's breathtaking evolution from merry pranksters to a full-blown global movement, one armed with new weapons of civil disobedience for an online world.
Hacker Documentary - 2013 - How Hackers Changed the World - BBC.mp4
We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists
by Brian Knappenberger
Filmmaker Brian Knappenberger documents the inner workings and beliefs of the hacking group Anonymous.
Hacker Documentary - 2012 - We Are Legion The Story of the Hacktivists by Brian Knappenberger.mp4
Free the Network: Hackers Take Back the Web
by Motherboard
Motherboard's documentary on Occupy Wall Street, hacktivism, and the hackers trying to build a distributed network for the Occupy movement and beyond.
Hacker Documentary - 2012 - Free the Network Hackers Take Back the Web.mp4
Hackers Wanted
by Samuel Bozzo
Hackers Wanted is an unreleased American documentary film. Directed and written by Sam Bozzo, the film explores the origins and nature of hackers and hacking by following the adventures of Adrian Lamo, and contrasting his story with that of controversial figures throughout history. The film is narrated by Kevin Spacey.
Hacker Documentary - 2010 - Hackers Wanted by Samuel Bozo.mp4
Web Warriors
by Jay Dahl
DEMO for CBC 1 hour documentary
Hacker Documentary - 2008 - Web Warriors by Jay Dahl.mp4
Hackers Are People Too
by Ashley Schwartau
Hackers do laundry. Hackers like movies. Hackers are people and could be your neighbors, your brother, your friends. Presenting a portrait of the hacking community, created by the community themselves, this film breaks down negative stereotypes by letting hackers show you that they are really no different from anyone else. Delving into areas such as the way hackers think, what is hacking, hackers in the media, and women in the security/hacking field, this film will have you questioning your ideas about what a 'hacker' really is.
Hacker Documentary - 2008 - Hackers Are People Too by Ashley Schwartau.m4v
BBS Documentary - HPAC (Excerpt)
is a 3-disc, 8-episode documentary about the subculture born from the creation of the bulletin board system (BBS) filmed by computer historian Jason Scott of textfiles.com.
Hacker Documentary - 2005 - BBS Documentary - HPAC (Excerpt).m4v
Kevin Mitnick Interview - 2003
by 2600
Hacker Documentary - 2003 - Kevin Mitnick Interview.avi
In the Realm of the Hackers
by Kevin Anderson
In The Realm of the Hackers is a 2003 Australian documentary directed by Kevin Anderson about the prominent hacker community, centered in Melbourne, Australia in the late 1980s until early 1990.
Hacker Documentary - 2003 - In the Realm of the Hackers.mp4
Hackers: Outlaws and Angels
by Ralph Lee
The daily battle between the Internet’s outlaws and the hackers who oppose them by warding off system attacks, training IT professionals and police officers, and watching cyberspace for signs of imminent infowar.
Hacker Documentary - 2003 - Hackers Outlaws and Angels.mp4
Hacking group The Realm and Electron
In The Realm of the Hackers is a 2003 Australian documentary directed by Kevin Anderson about the prominent hacker community, centered in Melbourne, Australia in the late 1980s until early 1990.
The storyline is centered around the Australian *****agers going by the hacker names "Electron" and "Phoenix", who were members of an elite computer hacking group called The Realm and hacked into some of the most secure computer networks in the world, including those of the US Naval Research Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a government lab charged with the security of the US nuclear stockpile, and NASA.
The film runs for 55 minutes and was inspired by the book Underground, by Melbourne-based writer and academic Suelette Dreyfus.
Hacker Documentary - 2002 - Hacking group The Realm and Electron.mpg
The Secret History Of Hacking
A history of hacking focusing on Captain Crunch, Steve Wozniak and Kevin Mitnick.
Hacker Documentary - 2001 - The Secret History Of Hacking.avi
Revolution OS
REVOLUTION OS tells the inside story of the hackers who rebelled against the proprietary software model and Microsoft to create GNU/Linux and the Open Source movement.
Hacker Documentary - 2001 - Revolution OS - Open Source.avi
Mondo Hacker
Hacker Documentary - 2001 - Mondo Hacker.mpg
Freedom Downtime
by 2600 Films
Freedom Downtime is a 2001 documentary film sympathetic to the convicted computer hacker Kevin Mitnick, directed by Emmanuel Goldstein and produced by 2600 Films.
Hacker Documentary - 2001 - Freedom Downtime.avi
The Secret History of Hacking
The Secret History of Hacking is a 2001 documentary film that focuses on phreaking, computer hacking and social engineering occurring from the 1970s through to the 1990s.
Hacker Documentary - 2001 - The Secret History Of Hacking.avi
New York City Hackers
by Stig-Lennart Sorensen
This documentary looks at the computer hacker community in New York City of today, its meetings and conferences, political annotations, and historically explores the roots of the original definition 'hacking' amongst the model train enthusiasts at MIT.
Featuring: Kevin Mitnick, Eugene E.Kashpureff, Mike Hudack, Cheshire Catalyst, and "Off the Hook" radio host and 2600 editor Emmanuel Goldstein.
Hacker Documentary - 2000 - New York City hackers.avi
C-64 Cracks, Tools & Demos
by Iron Feather Journal
C-64 Cracks is a 104 minute video of Commodore 64 demos from cracking crews, tools, and warez from the 1980's to early 1990's. Set against the original demo sound track, this is a glimpse into the past roots of the hacking and cracking 'scene' from a visual perspective. Sit back on watch, and the memories will flood back! The classic SID music, the awesome raster bars, the sprite *****, the scrolls with all the greetings & shouts to fellow pirates!
Hacker Documentary - 2000 - Commodore 64 Cracks by Iron Feather.m4v
©2000 Iron Feather Journal. Produced by Towne Club.
Larry Wall Interview
by Jon Schiefer
Interview with Larry Wall, the creator of the Perl programming language
Hacker Documentary - 1999 - Larry Wall interview - PERL creator.mp4
Hackers Testifying at the United States Senate, May 19, 1998
Members of Lopht Heavy Industries hacker collective testifying before the United States Senate in 1998.
Hackers Testifying at the United States Senate, May 19, 1998 (L0pht Heavy Industries).mp4
Hacks
by Christine Bader
Hacks is a 73 minute European documentary exploring what nature of "Hacking" is in a social context. It can range from traditional hacking, to artist communes and environmental activism. Well done.
Hacker Documentary - 1997 - Hacks by Christine Bader.m4v
© 1997 Bader Film. Photography by Ulla Barthold, Bella Halben, Gabi Schwark & Christine Bader. Edited by Michael Thaler. Music by Andreas Kunzmann & Jin Choi.
Hackers '95
by Phon-E and R.F. Burns
Hackers '95 is a 90 minute part documentary, part spoof. Phon-E and R.F. Burns cover the hacker related goings on of 1995. Summer Con 95, DEF CON III, Operation Cyber Snare, Area 51, an interview with Erik Bloodaxe and more are covered. This is what professional video hackers do with their spare time.
Hacker Documentary - 1995 - Hackers 95 by Phon-E and R.F. Burns.m4v
Photography & Editing by Phone-E and R.F. Burns.
Unauthorized Access
by Annaliza Savage
Unauthorized Access is one of the earliest independant documentaries on the subject of the computer underground. Featuring footage from around globe, this video's tone is friendly and fun. From phreaking, lockpicking, conspiracy theories, and ninja clad dumpster divers to socially active political European hackers this video covers an amazing amount of ground.
Hacker Documentary - 1994 - Unauthorized Access by Annaliza Savage.m4v
©1994 Savage Productions
Hacker Attack
by Discovery Channel
1994 Discovery Channel documentary which traces through the early hacking scene
Hacker Documentary - Hacker Attack.mp4
The KGB, The Computer, and Me
by Robin Bates
What happens when a Berkeley hippie turns detective and gets mixed up with the CIA and the KGB? NOVA follows computer sleuth Cliff Stoll as he tracks a data thief through a maze of military and research computers.
Hacker Documentary - 1990 - The KGB the Computer and Me by Robin Bates.mp4
Media Surrounding DEFCON
X-Files
A complete X-Files episode was surrounded by a strange DEF CON theme. The show was held at the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino, where DEF CON 5 whas held. There are also references to the DEF CON shoot. Only a few clips are here that capture the DEF CON references.
DEFCON Show Archives
DEFCON
This convention archive includes all audio and video available from past shows. Speakers whose audio or video is missing are not listed. Indexed by year.
