In the early 1980s, 17-year-old Neal Patrick gained worldwide fame – or infamy – for bringing cyber crime and computer hackers into the public consciousness. Shortly after, he dropped out of the spotlight.
These days, hacking is more widely practised, and its threats have grown. The World Economic Forum estimates show the financial costs from cyber crimes are now at least $10.5 trillion annually.
In an interview with The National, Mr Patrick said despite the rapid rise of the hacking and the seemingly unstoppable technological world that made him famous, he lost interest in computers.
"There was so much of a negative impact that I had from it that it made me less interested," he said.
These days, Mr Patrick does marketing and customer analytics for L’Occitane Group. Successful and happy in his chosen profession, his days are very different from the media wave he rode in 1983.
That is when he and some friends, brought together through a shared affinity for computers, hacked into the systems of about 60 businesses and government entities in the US and Canada.
Mr Patrick and his friends called themselves the 414s, based on the area code of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they lived and went to school.
Computers were not quite a common household item in the 1980s, but his parents bought him a Radio Shack TRS-80.
"They ended up getting one for me to kind of keep me out of trouble and keep me occupied," Mr Patrick said.
He and his fellow 414s took advantage of their modems and learnt from each other how to use early networks such as Telenet to communicate and map out computer users across the US and North America.
Although hardly impressive by today's standards, the early network of computers they were able to identify piqued the interest of the 414s, who soon found out that big businesses and government agencies did not seem too worried about their systems being compromised.
Mr Patrick said that, at the time, because so few thought computers could be compromised, those setting up networks would often use simple passwords such as "test", "password" and "1234".
He said some would even leak passwords or provide hints on electronic bulletin boards used by the earliest PC users.
The 414s were thus able to access networks for large banks, hospitals, cancer research centres and even the Los Alamos National Laboratory, a critically important federal laboratory often used for military research.
What Mr Patrick and the 414s did not realise at the time, however, was that at some of those locations they hacked, administrators were aware something was wrong – and eventually, the FBI came knocking at Mr Patrick's door.
He credits his father, who briefly served time in the juvenile criminal system, for quickly hiring a lawyer, who used Mr Patrick's age to avoid federal charges.
"It was decided that I was going to be the one to speak, do media and interview with reporters if needed," he recalled.
At that time, a movie about computer hackers, War Games starring Matthew Broderick, was in theatres. That, combined with the novelty and mild fear of computers, made Mr Patrick and the 414s' crimes fascinating to the public.
He was soon flying to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and elsewhere to talk about what he did, and how and why.
"So I remember doing Good Morning America, CBS, The Today Show, then CNN, which had a new show called Crossfire, and then later on did something else again with CBS," Mr Patrick said.
Amid the media blitz and seemingly non-stop phone interviews, someone pointed out to him that his picture was on the newsstands, with a cover story by Newsweek.
"You know, I was young and having to talk so much in public and meet with so many people, reporters and lawyers, that's not my style," he said.
Lingering in the background was the possible legal consequences that he and the 414s might face.
It all culminated in what Mr Patrick said was the most stressful but memorable part of the experience: having to testify before a US congressional committee on Capitol Hill.
Although the situation was serious, his responses to members of Congress elicited a few laughs.
"I realised I was doing something wrong when the FBI showed up," Mr Patrick said during testimony in 1983.
In the months and years that followed his appearance in Washington, Congress passed a series of hacker, cyber-crime and cyber-security laws, many of which are still on the books, including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
In recent years, the CFAA has come under criticism for being too broad, lacking nuance and having disproportionately high penalties.
Some charged under it may be barred from computer use for significant periods of time, which is much more difficult in 2025 than it was in the late 1980s.
Regardless, because so few computer hacking laws existed in 1983, Mr Patrick did not face any consequences, and his friends received minor fines and probation.
He says that although they were able to gain access to many of the systems they hacked, reports of what they did and what they might have done were wildly exaggerated.
"We didn't take any money and I recall that maybe there were some billing records we destroyed, but that's about it," Mr Patrick said.
He said there was never any serious danger caused, but he understands the concerns of the time.
"It was one of those things where if somebody broke into your computer, even though it's not something dangerous, it's still yours and potentially your stuff there. I get it," he said.
Mr Patrick said he was happy to have walked away from it all unscathed, and is still surprised when it's brought up, as it was in the popular AMC show Halt and Catch Fire, which portrays the technology scene in the '80s and '90s.
In one of the episodes, a character can be seen reading the Newsweek issue featuring him on the cover.
"It comes up every once in a while, and all my co-workers know about it," he said.
To this day, whenever Mr Patrick uses a password for any of his devices, he reminisces about 1983.
"I get frustrated, too – how many passwords do I want to remember?" he said. "But picking a good password doesn't take a lot of effort and will definitely make you less of a target."
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Kat Wightman's tips on how to create zones in large spaces
- Area carpets or rugs are the easiest way to segregate spaces while also unifying them.
- Lighting can help define areas. Try pendant lighting over dining tables, and side and floor lamps in living areas.
- Keep the colour palette the same in a room, but combine different tones and textures in different zone. A common accent colour dotted throughout the space brings it together.
- Don’t be afraid to use furniture to break up the space. For example, if you have a sofa placed in the middle of the room, a console unit behind it will give good punctuation.
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Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
The five pillars of Islam
More on animal trafficking
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
History's medical milestones
1799 - First small pox vaccine administered
1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery
1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases
1895 - Discovery of x-rays
1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time
1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin
1953 - Structure of DNA discovered
1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place
1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill
1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.
1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
THE TWIN BIO
Their favourite city: Dubai
Their favourite food: Khaleeji
Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach
Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Schedule:
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
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Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
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Gertrude Bell's life in focus
A feature film
At one point, two feature films were in the works, but only German director Werner Herzog’s project starring Nicole Kidman would be made. While there were high hopes he would do a worthy job of directing the biopic, when Queen of the Desert arrived in 2015 it was a disappointment. Critics panned the film, in which Herzog largely glossed over Bell’s political work in favour of her ill-fated romances.
A documentary
A project that did do justice to Bell arrived the next year: Sabine Krayenbuhl and Zeva Oelbaum’s Letters from Baghdad: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Gertrude Bell. Drawing on more than 1,000 pieces of archival footage, 1,700 documents and 1,600 letters, the filmmakers painstakingly pieced together a compelling narrative that managed to convey both the depth of Bell’s experience and her tortured love life.
Books, letters and archives
Two biographies have been written about Bell, and both are worth reading: Georgina Howell’s 2006 book Queen of the Desert and Janet Wallach’s 1996 effort Desert Queen. Bell published several books documenting her travels and there are also several volumes of her letters, although they are hard to find in print. Original documents are housed at the Gertrude Bell Archive at the University of Newcastle, which has an online catalogue.
