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Nowadays, it is very common to see news of cyber attacks in different parts of the world. (Photo: Getty Images)
At the dawn of the 20th century, when the technological progress promised to revolutionize the way the world communicated, an unexpected episode in 1903 would reveal the fragility of emerging wireless technologies.
Nevil Maskelyne, an English magician by profession, would become the protagonist of this event, by interfering in a public demonstration of Giuliano Marconi’s wireless telegraph, and thus being the first hacker in history.
This moment revealed a critical vulnerability in the technology that aspired to guarantee secure communication through Morse code without the need for conductive wires.
The first hacker did not need advanced technology. (Illustrative Image Infobae)
The demonstration, organized by Marconi, took place at the prestigious Royal Institution in London. The objective was to send a coded message from a distant location to John Ambroise Fleming, before an audience eager to witness the feat.
However, what Fleming and viewers received was a set of vitriol and scathing criticism directed at Marconi’s system, rather than the previously agreed-upon message.
In this way, Maskelyne’s intervention not only revealed a significant security flaw, but also posed a challenge to the invulnerability promised by Marconi’s technology.
This incident went down in history and has repercussions today. (Illustrative Image Infobae)
The interaction between Marconi and Maskelyne exuded irony, as both shared a deep interest in electromagnetic waves and their ability to transmit signals over distances.
Marconi, recognized as one of the pioneers in the field of wireless telegraph, had dedicated great efforts to perfecting this technology, in contrast, Maskelyne used his knowledge to enrich his magic acts with the illusion of telepathic communications.
Maskelyne’s bold interference at that moment not only marked a before and after in his life, but also positioned him within the history of technology, not so much for his magic tricks, but for having been a pioneer in practical demonstration. of wireless communications vulnerabilities.
As a result of this fact, cyber attacks using this modality. (Illustrative Image Infobae)
Reaction to Maskelyne’s act was mixed; While some saw it as mere prank or an act of scientific vandalism, others recognized the seriousness of the matter.
This event not only exposed the vulnerability of a system promoted as securebut also raised questions about the reliability of emerging communication technologies.
Beyond the obvious challenge to Marconi, Maskelyne’s action underlined the imperative need to consider security as a fundamental pillar in the development of any communication technology.
In retrospect, the incident served as a wake-up call for researchers and developers, urging them to prioritize security in the design of communications systems.
Cyberattacks have been increasing, especially on bank accounts. (Illustrative image Infobae)
Throughout the 20th century, the field of computer security would evolve dramatically, adapting to the new threats that would arise with the advent of computing and the Internet.
However, Maskelyne’s act at that time persists as a reminder about the importance of anticipating and protecting against malicious attacks, even in the earliest stages of technological innovation.
Likewise, this episode illustrates how the intersection of technology, and other areas of work, can trigger significant findings in the way communication tools are understood and improved.
Beyond this event and the immediate implications, the story of this first-ever “hacker” highlights the synergy between innovation and security, an ever-dynamic balance that continues to challenge engineers and developers in the information age.
