phreaker
Telephone system exploiter
A phreaker is someone who hacks telephone systems, particularly to make free calls or explore network vulnerabilities.
The term emerged in the 1960s and 70s when enthusiasts discovered they could manipulate phone networks using specific tones—most famously, a toy whistle from Cap'n Crunch cereal that produced the exact frequency needed to access long-distance lines.
Phreaking laid the cultural and technical groundwork for computer hacking, and many early hackers started as phreakers.
Curbside recycling container
- red boxDVD rental kiosk brand
- black boxOpaque system or device
- beige boxNondescript standard computer
- silver boxLustrous metal container
social engineering · caller ID spoofing · loop around · diverters · phone tap · wiretap · shoulder surfing · dumpster diving
Voice communication device
Entry without permission
- breachBreaking of agreement
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
surveillance · wiretapping · intrusion · compromise · wire fraud · federal crime · prosecution · detection
- WozniakApple's technical cofounder
- Steve JobsApple's co-founder and longtime CEO
- Ma BellPhone company personified
- Legion of DoomAntagonist team organization
bulletin boards · underground · zines · conventions · handle · pseudonym · exploration · curiosity
Fourth decade, twentieth century
- 1980sFourth-to-last twentieth-century decade
- divestitureDisposal of assets
- operatorOne who works machinery
- long distanceSeparation across significant space
toll calls · prosecution · FBI · Secret Service · crackdown · telephone company
blue box
Curbside recycling container
silver box · social engineering · caller ID spoofing · loop around · diverters · phone tap · wiretap · shoulder surfing · dumpster diving
telephone
Voice communication device
- modemDigital-to-analog signal converter
- payphonePublic coin-operated telephone
- PBXPrivate branch exchange
landline · trunk lines · crossbar · touch-tone · rotary dial
unauthorized access
Entry without permission
- breachBreaking of agreement
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
interception · surveillance · wiretapping · intrusion · compromise · wire fraud · federal crime · prosecution · detection · tracing
Captain Crunch
- WozniakApple's technical cofounder
- Steve JobsApple's co-founder and longtime CEO
- Ma BellPhone company personified
Legion of Doom · bulletin boards · underground · zines · conventions · handle · pseudonym · exploration · curiosity · counterculture
1970s
Fourth decade, twentieth century
- 1980sFourth-to-last twentieth-century decade
- divestitureDisposal of assets
- operatorOne who works machinery
long distance · toll calls · prosecution · FBI · Secret Service · crackdown · telephone company