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AOL Underground
By Steve StonebrakerTechnology
AOL Underground episodes
- Snex - Phishing, Trojans, IRC
Snex walks through inventing an early mass-phishing scheme and a destructive Trojan and a self-replicating worm he ran on IRC.
Highlights Include:
- Learning BASIC at five on a Tandy, then reverse-engineering AOL base files as a teenager
- Optimizing the legendary punter Genocide's duplicate-removal routine
- Downgrading AOL 3.0 back to 2.0 to dodge punters
- Building a custom menu into the AOL client window
- AOL Secrets, the Lithium Node crew, and sneaking into AOL Live's backstage
- Inventing an early mass-phishing scheme with a fake "AOL Adult" site
- A destructive Trojan and a self-replicating SMB worm on IRC
- Running a victim's AOL bill up to $5,000 with premium MUD games
- Life after AOL: software engineering, and why AI "vibe coding" won't replace senior engineers
Survey Link:
https://airtable.com/app7GJNzwDQ8MMINw/shr4yEBKR6AADMOWo
Guest: Snex
Host: Steve Stonebraker
Audio Editor: Sam Fox ([email protected])
CoverArt: Created by Broast (https://broast.org), original idea by LampGold.
--
AOL Underground PodcastFollow us on
- twitter - @AOLUnderground, @brakertech
- Reddit -https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/
- Youtube-https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast
- Merch -https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop
- Donate - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground
- Contact the Host - https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/
- AOL 3.0 is working again! - https://dialtone.live/
- AOL Underground Discord - https://discord.gg/GvWuJTcTBa
- Podcast Community Page -https://aolunderground.com/community/
- AOL 4.0 is working! - https://nina.chat/connect/aol/
- Check out my wife's Etsy shop -https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker
31 min - Fibra - Mac Hacker, Reverse Engineering AOL 3.0
Fibra grew up a Mac kid in a PC-dominated warez scene, tinkering in HyperCard before discovering AOL4FREE and the elite Mac chat crews of the mid-'90s. He walks through the Mac side of AOL hacking, including FDOs, ResEdit, tokens, and "hells" like One Click, and how that curiosity became a career in software and AI. Today he's reverse-engineered AOL itself with Dialtone and a 68k Mac running in your browser at mac.dialtone.live.
Highlights Include:
- Growing up Mac in a PC warez world, starting with HyperCard
- AOL4FREE and the Mac Chat elite (Ambient, Symbiont, Mystery Vortex, Tang)
- FDOs, ResEdit, tokens, and Mac "hells" like One Click
- Reverse-engineering FDO91 and ADA.dll to build Dialtone
- mac.dialtone.live: a 68k Mac in the browser connected to AOL
- AI-assisted reverse engineering and the coming wave of prompt-injection security issues
Guest: Fibra
- https://mac.dialtone.live/
- https://x.com/SiliconForested
- https://github.com/iconidentify
Survey Link:
https://airtable.com/app7GJNzwDQ8MMINw/shr4yEBKR6AADMOWo
Guest: Fibra
Host: Steve Stonebraker
Audio Editor: Sam Fox ([email protected])
CoverArt: Created by Broast (https://broast.org), original idea by LampGold.
--
AOL Underground PodcastFollow us on
- twitter - @AOLUnderground, @brakertech
- Reddit -https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/
- Youtube-https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast
- Merch -https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop
- Donate - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground
- Contact the Host - https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/
- AOL 3.0 is working again! - https://dialtone.live/
- AOL Underground Discord - https://discord.gg/GvWuJTcTBa
- Podcast Community Page -https://aolunderground.com/community/
- AOL 4.0 is working! - https://nina.chat/connect/aol/
- Check out my wife's Etsy shop -https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker
1 hr 39 min - Rajuabju - ARiSE Warez President, Carding
The president of the ARiSE warez group tells us about his experience with BBS, Prodigy, QuantumLink, AOL, and IRC. He also talks about the early days of the warez scene, notable groups at the time, what it is like running a warez group, and his experience carding at age 13.
Survey Link:
https://airtable.com/app7GJNzwDQ8MMINw/shr4yEBKR6AADMOWo
Guest: Rajuabju
Host: Steve Stonebraker
Audio Editor: Sam Fox ([email protected])
CoverArt: Created by Broast (https://broast.org), original idea by LampGold.
--
AOL Underground PodcastFollow us on
- twitter - @AOLUnderground, @brakertech
- Reddit -https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/
- Youtube-https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast
- Merch -https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop
- Donate -https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground
- Contact the Host - https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/
- AOL 3.0 is working again! - https://dialtone.live/
- ReAOL Discord -https://discord.gg/p3ol
- Podcast Community Page -https://aolunderground.com/community/
- AOL 4.0 is working! - https://nina.chat/connect/aol/
- Check out my wife's Etsy shop -https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker
1 hr 7 min - BMB - AOL-files.com, FDO, Invokes
Pwning AOL with pure FDO. Hacking employee accounts. Downloading AOL files and posting them to aol-files.com. BMB recounts his amazing story
Guest: BMB
Host: Steve Stonebraker
Audio Editor: Sam Fox ([email protected])
CoverArt: Created by Broast (https://broast.org), original idea by LampGold.
--
AOL Underground PodcastFollow us on
- twitter - @AOLUnderground, @brakertech
- Reddit -https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/
- Youtube-https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast
- Merch -https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop
- Donate -https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground
- Contact the Host - https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/
- ReAOL Discord -https://discord.gg/p3ol
- Podcast Community Page -https://aolunderground.com/community/
- AOL 4.0 is working! -https://nina.chat/connect/aol/
- Check out my wife's Etsy shop -https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker
59 min - BoFeN - Mass Mailers, PW Stealer, ARiSE Warez Group
Creator of Millennium, Blizzard, and Code Genie. Despite facing relentless criticism and accusations of code theft, his software gained widespread use. He remains active in coding today, applying lessons from the AOL scene to modern projects like his mobile wagering game, rockshotrush.com.
Highlights Include:
- Origin of the handle "BoFeN" and his other alias "Nova". He was also known as TRiPP.
- Creation of Code Genie, a tool that automatically generated VB code for AOL interaction via the Windows API
- Use of a "poser check" in his software to expose imposters claiming to be him
- Development of a password-stealing executable disguised as a "Punter that Finally Works"
- Evolution from copying interfaces to building original, widely-used programs like Blizzard
- Current project: Rock Shop Rush, a mobile game with anti-cheat design rooted in his AOL experiences. rockshotrush.com
Guest: BoFeN
Host: Steve Stonebraker
Audio Editor: Sam Fox ([email protected])
CoverArt: Created by Broast (https://broast.org), original idea by LampGold.
--
AOL Underground PodcastFollow us on
- twitter - @AOLUnderground, @brakertech
- Reddit -https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/
- Youtube-https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast
- Merch -https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop
- Donate -https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground
- Contact the Host - https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/
- ReAOL Discord -https://discord.gg/p3ol
- Podcast Community Page -https://aolunderground.com/community/
- AOL 4.0 is working! -https://nina.chat/connect/aol/
- Check out my wife's Etsy shop -https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker
42 min - Barrac1315 - KillTimer, AOL Beta Program
The creator of KillTimer tells his story!
Blog post about Killtimer: https://adventuresincomputing.bajgier.net/development/storytelling/2024/10/08/the-killtimer-story.html
Highlights Include:
- First experiences with computers and getting online
- Teenage hacking, phishing, and the underground AOL scene
- AOL beta program memories and chatroom hijinks
- Early programming projects: Visual Basic, Delphi, C, C++, Java
- The story behind KillTimer: motivation, development, and release
- Website building, banner ads, and software site submissions
Guest: Barrac1315
Host: Steve Stonebraker
Audio Editor: Sam Fox ([email protected])
CoverArt: Created by Broast (https://broast.org), original idea by LampGold.--
AOL Underground Podcast
Follow us on twitter -@AOLUnderground, @brakertech
Reddit -https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/
Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast
Merch -https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop
Donate -https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground
Contact the Host - https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/
ReAOL Discord -https://discord.gg/p3ol
Podcast Community Page -https://aolunderground.com/community/
AOL 4.0 is working! -https://nina.chat/connect/aol/
--
Other
Check out my wife's Etsy shop -https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker1 hr - Suspect - Keyloggers, Cracking, Exploits
Suspect shares his journey through the scene, starting from his first experiences with computers in the mid-90s and becoming active in the AOL community from 2000 to 2008. He discusses early programming interests, the thrill and risks of downloading and creating software, and the culture of exploiting vulnerabilities in platforms like PHPBB and AOL/AIM screen names. Suspect also reflects on the unique social dynamics of AOL chat rooms and the transition from online exploits to real-life challenges and personal growth. The episode offers a nostalgic look at the technical creativity and camaraderie of the early internet era.
Highlights Include:
- Discovering computers and early web exploits in school
- Transitioning from downloading programs to writing original code
- The culture of keylogging, screen name cracking, and AOL exploits
- Using Google to find vulnerable PHP forums and leveraging SQL injection
- The social scene of AOL chat rooms versus today’s online communities
- Personal growth, life changes, and returning to tech through web development
Guest: Suspect
Host: Steve Stonebraker
Audio Editor: Sam Fox ([email protected])
CoverArt: Created by Broast (https://broast.org), original idea by LampGold.
--
AOL Underground Podcast
Follow us on twitter -@AOLUnderground@brakertech
Reddit -https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/
Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast
Merch -https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop
Donate -https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground
Contact the Host - https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/
ReAOL Discord -https://discord.gg/p3ol
Podcast Community Page -https://aolunderground.com/community/
AOL 4.0 is working! -https://nina.chat/connect/aol/
--
Other
Check out my wife's Etsy shop -https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker
56 min - Pat or JK - API Spy, Find That Bas, Fate Zero Encryption
Pat or JK shares why he created API Spy, a tool for automating Windows API interactions and Find That Bas, which analyzed .bas files to detect code reuse. Pat also talks about AIM Flash, genozide.bas, and getting Vader Fader to function on AOL 4.0. We discuss how he cracked MaGuS's Fate Zero's encryption. The episode wraps up with Pat's creative project, sub pixel snake, highlighting his inventive approach to programming.
MaGuS if you read this please contact [email protected], everyone wants to hear your story!
Guest: Patrick Gillespie - https://patorjk.com/
Host: Steve Stonebraker
Audio Editor: Sam Fox ([email protected])
CoverArt: Created by Broast (https://broast.org), original idea by LampGold.
Show Notes:
- Pat's website - https://patorjk.com/
- Twitter - @patorjk
- Subpixel Snake - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDwganLjpW0
- Vader Fader on AOL 4.0 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Uly3hbtzKQ
- Cracking MaGuS’s Fate Zero Encryption https://patorjk.com/blog/2012/05/03/cracking-magus-fate-zero-encryption/
--
AOL Underground Podcast
Follow us on twitter - @AOLUnderground, @brakertech
Reddit -https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/
Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast
Merch -https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop
Donate -https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground
Contact the Host - https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/
ReAOL Discord -https://discord.gg/p3ol
Podcast Community Page -https://aolunderground.com/community/
AOL 4.0 is working! -https://nina.chat/connect/aol/
--
Other
Check out my wife's Etsy shop -https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker
33 min - Robbie Saunders - AIM Filter, Protocol Fuzzing, Hacking
Robbie's programming journey began with early exposure to computers and the internet, where he explored bulletin board systems and platforms like Virtual Places. He quickly became immersed in creating bots, filters, and tools for clan wars and later transitioned his skills to AOL Instant Messenger. Known for reverse-engineering protocols and crafting exploits, Robbie's work left a mark on the underground programming scene, driven by creativity and the thrill of innovation.
Guest: Robbie Saunders -https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiesaunders/
Host: Steve Stonebraker
Audio Editor: Sam Fox ([email protected])
CoverArt: Created by Broast (https://broast.org), original idea by LampGold.
Extras:
https://www.informationweek.com/it-leadership/w00w00-s-suggested-aim-fix-is-no-fix
--
AOL Underground Podcast
Follow us on twitter -@AOLUnderground@brakertech
Reddit -https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/
Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast
Merch -https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop
Donate -https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground
Contact the Host - https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/
ReAOL Discord -https://discord.gg/p3ol
Podcast Community Page -https://aolunderground.com/community/
AOL 4.0 is working! -https://nina.chat/connect/aol/
--
Other
Check out my wife's Etsy shop -https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker
50 min - Squirrel - Internal Account Cracking, PW Stealer
Squirrel recounts experimenting with Visual Basic, creating programs, dabbling in exploits, and cracking OH and Internal accounts by bypassing SecureID via AOL Net Connect. Squirrel also discusses his transition to broader internet activities, including affiliate automation and early scripting exploits, while balancing his social life and tech interests.
Guest: Squirrel
Host: Steve Stonebraker
Audio Editor: Sam Fox ([email protected])
CoverArt: Created by Broast (https://broast.org), original idea by LampGold.
--
AOL Underground Podcast
Follow us on twitter - @AOLUnderground @brakertech
Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast
Merch - https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop
Donate - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground
Contact the Host - https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/
ReAOL Discord - https://discord.gg/p3ol
Podcast Community Page - https://aolunderground.com/community/
AOL 4.0 is working! - https://nina.chat/connect/aol/
--
Other
Check out my wife's Etsy shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker
28 min
About AOL Underground
From the publisher's feed
Interviews with users, hackers, and staff of America Online (AOL), covering the 90’s/Early 2000’s.
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