Hackers Turn Tables on 'Dateline' Operative
After years spent undercover busting pedophiles, con men, and, most recently, iPod thieves, NBC's 'Dateline' would presumably have perfected its whole cloak and dagger routine by now. And, for the average dimwitted criminal, that may be true. But, against the world's most ingenious computer hackers, NBC's spy game is amateur hour.
This became awkwardly clear recently when 'Dateline' spook Michelle Madigan went undercover with a hidden camera to the yearly Defcon conference in Las Vegas, billed as the world's largest gathering of hackers, programmers and security experts. Big mistake. Madigan, way out of her league, was spotted almost immediately. After denying she was a member of the press, she was publicly ousted during a presentation and chased away to her car...broken, busted and humiliated.
The video is equal parts funny, sad and brutal. It definitely had us squirming in our seats. It also made us wonder if even the smug Chris Hanson of 'To Catch a Predator' infamy would have been able to keep his cool under these circumstances.
Related Links:
- iPhone's Web Browser Vulnerable to Hacker Attacks
- Kremlin Hackers Squashing Free Speech?
- Hacker Penetrates Pentagon E-Mail System





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Comments
57
Subscribe to commentsLindsayMar 16th 2009 10:35AM
If you are not hiding anything, why are you chasing someone out? If you are here to learn and share knowledge..why did you have to chase her out? If you were doing something legal ..you wouldnt care if she was there...
You met in a public convention hall..as in anyone can be there
Just so you know hackers..you only brought attention to yourself..by doing that. When you publicly humilate someone in that aspect. You will only bring more attention to yourselves..not very smart..I thought you guys were so smart....
Its only a matter of time before you are back in your basement having meetings while playin xbox live..hiding from the real world....
jayAug 6th 2007 1:54PM
First, FIRST!!!
WillAug 7th 2007 2:21AM
Oh, sure...send an attractive blonde to a hackers convention...SHE won't stand out. Brilliant.
WillAug 6th 2007 3:05PM
Oh, sure...send an attractive blonde to a hackers convention...SHE won't stand out. Brilliant.
EagleSpeakAug 6th 2007 10:11PM
awesome awesome awesome
Chairman MeowAug 6th 2007 9:16PM
Because all hackers are overweight, acne-ridden mongoloids.
There mistake was in sending a reporter. If you want to get the inside scoop without fear of being caught, don't send someone well-established and bound to be picked up as soon as the name is seen on the guest list or her face is seen in the crowd; send Steve from IT or the mail girl.
WILLAug 6th 2007 4:47PM
HAHAHAHAA THAT WAS FUNNY WILL
sassyAug 6th 2007 6:03PM
I agree veejaybee. Nice point.
meAug 6th 2007 6:05PM
why is a hacker convention even allowed? don't we arrest people that hack into computers? i bet those geeks aren't so tough when THEY'RE walking alone.
RobAug 6th 2007 6:07PM
She was doing her job, not hurting anyone...regardless...the people "escorting her out" acted like jerks. Yes, some will say that some journalists and photographers act like jerks sometimes too. Will the reporters be more careful/smarter next time, sure they will. Taking a pic of the reporter and saying it's for those helpless predator's...please...Grow Up! The people making the comments sounded like high school goobers! Glad they got their 5 minutes of fame-idiots!
JulesAug 6th 2007 6:11PM
Methinks she didn't much care for being on the receiving end of the scrutiny. Most amusing!
The PhantomAug 6th 2007 8:54PM
Dan Rather getting punched at the 1968 Democratic Convention - now THAT'S getting attacked.
YvonneAug 6th 2007 6:11PM
What a bunch of immature jerks chasing this woman. I be they don't have any girlfriends.
davidAug 6th 2007 6:20PM
To bad she didn't hit the wall at over one hundred miles per hour trying to escape like Diana did. ITs our right to know what she was doing there. ITs our right to know who she was sleeping with. Its our right to know what she spent her money on. Its our right to know what her political views are. ITs our right to know what kind of plastic surgery she has had. IT is our right to know who here friends are. I demand to know what size her breasts are. I demand to know who she slept with while she was there. I demand to know who paid her salary, for her hair bleach and I must know what kind of drugs she used. ITs our right to know!
TrishAug 6th 2007 6:27PM
Am I supposed to believe that she is the bad guy here??? Sure seems like it.
JudyAug 6th 2007 6:40PM
What a bunch of freaks and nerds. Huh Huh!!
ChrisAug 6th 2007 6:51PM
I have a solution to the whole so called hacker problem....
Make stronger hacker laws...it's as easy as that...then hackers will think twice before they think about messing with anyone else again.
example:Put them in jail for twice as long.
These hackers have been getting away with to much lately..it's time to put an end this BS!
PaulaAug 6th 2007 7:06PM
I don't blame the people at the conference for escorting her out. They are within their rights to require reporters to obtain a press pass. Hackers also have the right to assemble. After all, so does the KKK and I find hackers a little less threatening than the KKK.However, the woman was only doing her job and I did not find the way she was hassled and humiliated the least bit amusing. Those guys thought they were real funny abusing a woman alone. Shame on them! If they want respect they should give it to others in return. I would have found it funny if the poor woman had maced them. Would have served them right.
Willie Carr, Jr.Aug 6th 2007 11:43PM
I agree with those who question why a Hacker's convention is even allowed. Hacking is illegal, why were no law enforcement agencies there with paddy wagons?
As for there being no attack on the reporter because she was not physically touched, that is bogus.I'm 6'3" and 315 lbs, and I'll bet if I invaded the space of any of you who think that was not an attack, you'd run screaming bloody murder, and not just walk away as the reporter did.
The bible says that the power of life and death is in the tongue. Anyone who thinks that a bunch of men yelling and following a lone woman reporter is not an attack is either naive, or dishonest. If she was your daughter, sister, mother, or friend, perhaps you'd feel differently.
As for those of you who have the skills to be hackers, why not try hacking into some of the terrorist groups that our esteemed leaders have spawned around the world, with their assinine policies? Do something to benefit the vast majority of honest working people who are over taxed, over worked, and over burdened.
For those of you who condone the behavior of theame if the convention was of pedophiles like NAMBLA (North America Man & Boy Lovers Association)?
X_lineOct 18th 2008 2:26AM
NERDS!!! OK.. 1) Who the hell chases away a good looking woman like that.. The only way they'd be interested in her is if she had a keyboard attached to her or was a part of Warcraft or some crap.. 2) Yes there is a negative spin on Hackers.. Gee.. Wonder why.. Just maybe if ya'll didn't try breaking into things you have no right to see.. Stealing personal information.. 3) If they had nothing to hide and weren't doing anything wrong or planning on doing something wrong then why where they so quick to get her out of there.. Hmm.. I'm no Rocket Scientist but last time I check people tend to freak out like that when they know they're caught.. If you're a "Hacker" and don't want us displayed in a negative light STOP DOING THINGS THAT ARE ILLEAGAL AND WRONG!! DUH!!!