Unbelievable Yet True Hacking Tales
We’ve all seen the Hollywood trope: a hacker furiously types on a keyboard and disables an entire security system in seconds. But reality can sometimes be just as surprising—and much funnier.
At our work auditing businesses through Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, we see how hackers exploit vulnerabilities daily. While we’ve documented common methods and types of malware, the creativity of some hacks never fails to amaze us.
Here are five of the funniest and most bizarre hacking stories from around the world:
1. Fish Tank Hack: Las Vegas Casino, 2017
A luxury casino in Las Vegas learned the hard way that even a fish tank can be a cybersecurity threat. Hackers exploited an internet-connected fish tank—designed to monitor temperature, feeding, and cleanliness—to breach the casino’s network. Once inside, they accessed sensitive data, proving that even innocent-looking devices can be a backdoor for cybercriminals.
2. Bitcoin Twitter Hack: 2020
In one of the most daring social engineering hacks, cybercriminals hijacked the Twitter accounts of major figures like Elon Musk, Joe Biden, and even Apple. The hackers posted a Bitcoin scam, promising to double any cryptocurrency sent to a specific wallet. While the hack was short-lived, it earned the scammers over $100,000—and gave the internet endless memes about gullible users.
3. Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black” Leak: 2017
The hacker group TheDarkOverlord stole and leaked the entire fifth season of the hit Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Hoping to pressure Netflix into paying a ransom, they released the episodes online early. However, fans were thrilled to binge-watch the new season, undermining the hackers’ efforts.
4. Telegraph Hack: 1903
Hacking isn’t a modern invention. In 1903, inventor Guglielmo Marconi was preparing a public demonstration of his groundbreaking long-distance wireless telegraph system. However, magician and prankster Nevil Maskelyne disrupted the event by hijacking the signal. He repeatedly sent the word “Rats” followed by a rude poem mocking Marconi’s invention, exposing its lack of security.
5. Thunderstruck Power Plant Hack: 2010
In 2010, US and Israeli developers deployed the Stuxnet computer worm to target Iran’s nuclear facilities. While the primary goal was sabotage, the hackers added a cheeky twist: they made AC/DC’s hit song Thunderstruck blast randomly over the plant’s PA system. Employees endured unexpected rock concerts, adding humor to an otherwise serious operation.
