Cliff Stoll Revisits 'The Cuckoo's Egg' 40 Years Later at DefCon 34
Stalking the Wily Hacker: 40 years later – Cliff Stoll [video]
In this DefCon 34 talk, Cliff Stoll, the astronomer who inadvertently became one of the first cybercrime investigators, reflects on his 1986 hunt for a hacker that led to the arrest of a spy ring. With his signature wit and storytelling, Stoll revisits the lessons learned from the 'Cuckoo's Egg' case, offering a unique perspective on how hacking, espionage, and security have evolved over four decades.
The only thing that's changed in forty years is the price of the equipment.
- EvanAnderson
I watch a lot of videos at 1.5x. Older Cliff Stoll videos don't work at 1.5x. Cliff at 1.0x is already like other people at 1.5x.
I am so stoked to see Cliff at 1.0x in 2026 is still like other people at 1.5x. I am so glad to see Cliff still out there talking. "The Cuckoo's Egg"[0] was formative for me when I was a kid getting into computers. I am so happy that Cliff is out there making formative experiences for new hackers today.
Great talk, Cliff. (The "adjusted for inflation" quip about the budget made my day, too.)
- xyzelement
It's been a few years - and I guess decades - since I read Cliff's book. One thing I recall is his journey from a Berkeley hippie to a man dealing with the military and men in suits and realizing that they are also good and necessary people. And also becoming a family man if I remember correctly.
It's a really important part of the story in my mind of Cliff growing up - sort of - as part of the experience.
- lee_ward
Stoll is still the best storyteller in security. 40 years and this holds up perfectly.
- giov4
Thank you Cliff!
I had shivers most of the time during the talk, it was touching me from the inside and flipping me back like a latex glove. And while I knew your story I confess I listened to you for the first time.
It was the most amazing cyber space trip ever, feeling those copper lines and understanding you could interface with their content.
You simply represent what a hacker is, I'm getting older and loosing motivation and creativity, but after hearing you I swear I will never give that up and I promise I will keep the hardcore digging for those cents.
You are our father.
- rockskon
What a fascinating video. What a treat to hear him talk.
Much of my excitement has been dying off due to the commercialization of the hacker community, the culture war, and the constant legislative losses for privacy and effective ownership of goods you purchase because they've code in them you often cannot legally circumvent the "digital lock" on.
I'm curious what can be done to get it back. It seems the more I care, the more I get jaded due to the constant loss of freedom with tech.