170: Phrack

Feb 3, 2026

Summary

Jack Rhysider interviews FRAC magazine editors Skyper and TMZ to celebrate the publication's 40th anniversary. They discuss FRAC’s origins in the 1980s phone-phreaking scene, its role in popularizing buffer overflow exploits, and its evolution through various volunteer-led revivals. The episode highlights the magazine's enduring impact on cybersecurity culture, its recent high-quality 40th-anniversary print release at DEF CON, and its continued mission to share technical knowledge freely.

Topics discussed

Introduction and Sponsor Readings What is FRAC Magazine and the Hacker Culture Historical Significance: E911 and Smashing the Stack Nmap, GPS Jamming, and the Hacker Manifesto Sponsor Reading: Black Hills Information Security The Revival of FRAC and the 2001 DEF CON Launch Conflict with the High Council and Internal Struggles The TempOut Group Takes Over FRAC The 40th Anniversary Issue and Physical Production Community Support, Future Plans, and Conclusion

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