Ryan Montgomery - #1 Ethical Hacker | Youtube

Online predators target children within seconds on everyday platforms, requiring vigilant parental monitoring and proactive cybersecurity measures.

IDEAS:⌗

• Ryan transformed from black hat hacker to ethical hacker after discovering purpose in protecting children online.
• Ethical hackers earn substantial bounties by finding security vulnerabilities in major corporate platforms like Apple and Facebook.
• Ryan hacked child predator websites, exposing thousands of offenders, but law enforcement and media initially ignored evidence.
• Within seconds of joining random teen chat rooms, adults send inappropriate messages to profiles identifying as minors.
• The Flipper Zero device demonstrates how easily wireless technologies can be compromised through various attack methods.
• Ryan’s cybersecurity company Pentester.com helps businesses identify data breaches by scanning for vulnerabilities in their systems.
• Most people’s personal information has already been leaked online from various data breaches, making identity theft easier.
• Ryan organizes evidence of predator behavior through undercover operations and confronts suspects in public with video recording.
• Ryan collaborates with Project Veritas to investigate and expose online predators from databases he collected through hacking.
• Child predators frequently use mainstream platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, gaming platforms, and chat rooms.
• Hackers can intercept WiFi connections in public places, creating fake networks that steal personal information and passwords.
• Florida’s legal approach punishes child predators severely while some states attempt to normalize inappropriate attraction to minors.
• Parents should monitor children’s online activities despite potential friction, as predators target children on virtually all platforms.
• Wireless devices like keyboards, mice, garage door openers, and key fobs are vulnerable to various hacking techniques.
• Information leaked during data breaches remains permanently accessible, creating ongoing vulnerabilities for individuals and businesses.
• Law enforcement faces challenges in prosecuting predator cases despite clear evidence of intent to meet with minors.
• Chinese-made smart devices connected to home networks create significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities through cloud server connections.
• Password managers, RFID-blocking wallets, and careful website browsing are essential personal cybersecurity protection measures today.
• Zero-click exploits can compromise phones without any user interaction, making them extremely valuable and difficult to defend against.
• Around 95% of online predators who discuss meeting will actually show up when given the opportunity.
• 75% of children are willing to share personal information with strangers online according to cybersecurity research.
• 561PC has confronted and exposed numerous predators who work in positions with access to children, including teachers.
• Pentester.com automatically scans websites for vulnerabilities, enabling small businesses to improve their cybersecurity affordably.
• Ryan broke into a pedophile network run by a former political candidate who was later arrested for kidnapping.
• Ryan and his partner Scrappy have caught 14 predators in just a couple months through their operations.

INSIGHTS:⌗

• Online predators are far more numerous and active than most people realize, requiring only seconds to target children.
• Ethical hacking provides crucial security services by identifying vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.
• The dark web facilitates criminal networks but most predator activity occurs on mainstream platforms accessible to children.
• Personal cybersecurity requires constant vigilance as everyday devices create numerous access points for potential attacks.
• Public awareness and citizen-led initiatives have become necessary where traditional law enforcement efforts have failed.
• Technological convenience often comes with hidden security costs as smart devices create vulnerabilities in home networks.
• The legal system often fails to adequately address online predation despite clear evidence of criminal intent.
• Most adults significantly underestimate how vulnerable children are to online exploitation across all digital platforms.
• Vigilante justice emerges when institutional systems fail to adequately protect vulnerable populations like children.
• Public exposure has become an alternative deterrent when traditional law enforcement cannot secure convictions.
• The line between ethical and unethical hacking often involves using similar technical skills but for different purposes.
• Protecting children online requires both technical solutions and fundamental changes in parental awareness and supervision.
• Sex trafficking and online predation thrive in environments where authorities lack resources or willingness to intervene.
• Modern cybersecurity threats extend beyond computers to everyday objects connected to wireless networks.
• The tension between privacy and security creates challenging legal and ethical questions in fighting online predation.
• Internet platforms designed for children remain poorly protected despite known risks of predator infiltration.

QUOTES:⌗

• “I’m security focused, you know, ethical. I could be [dangerous] if I wanted to.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “This is not some fantasy that this guy was talking about. This was a guy who was actually posting his child in a bathtub.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “We made it a scholarship program to help people get into rehab who didn’t have the financial means to pay.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “Apple, for example, if you could take over an iPhone, they would pay you a million dollars.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “I could control your mouse and keyboard with this device and send key strokes much faster than you can type them and take over your computer.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “Addiction exists. I have a lot of it in my family. Especially on my father’s side.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “You don’t need to be afraid to be a helicopter parent because if your child annoys you for a few minutes for being overprotective… I think it’s worth it.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “It just seems like they’re not on our side sometimes, but we’re doing our best, and the police departments that we have worked with have been fantastic.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “With this little, you know, custom extension, I can get Wi-Fi, this side of things is also Wi-Fi, but also this is nrf24, so also wireless mice and keyboards.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “It’s not theory of conspiracy. It’s fact. I mean, the number one leading cause of death, 18 to 49 right now, is fentanyl.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “There’s all sorts of sites that do horrible things. What the dark web actually is is not a marketplace like you think.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “We put all of our team on it. We’re going to shed light on this. We’re going to bring these people out of the dark corners of the earth.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “I don’t understand how you can vote for this shit. I don’t understand how you can get on board with this shit. I don’t understand how you can think this is normal.” - Shawn Ryan
• “That switch flipped in my brain, and I left my friend’s house as soon as I got the message. And I went home.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “I don’t think there’s any way to fix this. It’s never going to go away. And unfortunately, we have some states that are trying to normalize it.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “All it takes is one bad dose. They’re dead. And, as you know, it could take just one bad dose.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “We were like, hey, we have all your information. We know where you live.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “The dark web on its own is not a marketplace, like you think. The black market or however you want to call it, once you’re connected to the dark web, you still need to know where to go.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “Everybody in any way, shape, or form who went to that website, they will be investigated. We have all their information or ways to find it.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “One of five American teenagers has received an unwanted sexual solicitation online.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “It’s not that these people are innocent in this. There’s zero chance that they’re innocent.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “I walked two miles to Walmart. I could have Ubered, but I walked two miles to Walmart last night to buy one single can of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “I could use this right now, I could pull this antenna out… And we can receive planes to see where they are. There’s nothing illegal about receiving them. Transmitting is where it gets a little weird.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “I don’t care what it is, because it affects someone else. It ruins someone’s life forever.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “After eight grade or so, I started hanging around the wrong people. And I was in the wrong places, doing the wrong things.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “Hackers can be in your house without being in your house. They can be in your computer without being at your computer.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “My grandfather passed away a few years ago, and he was like a father to me. He raised me.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “The police takes the decision on what they’re charged with. But the state attorney is the one who ultimately decides if a person is convicted or charged with those charges.” - Ryan Montgomery
• “I would strongly recommend you go back to wired, even if it sounds old school, that’s what you should do.” - Ryan Montgomery

HABITS:⌗

• Ryan stays vigilant about cybersecurity, regularly scanning for vulnerabilities even in his personal devices and networks.
• He investigates suspicious websites and reports dangerous content to authorities, taking initiative when he discovers threats.
• Ryan frequently runs security tests on various platforms to identify potential security flaws before malicious hackers exploit them.
• He prioritizes helping others, from founding a scholarship program for addiction treatment to catching online predators.
• Ryan educates others about cybersecurity risks through demonstrations and explanations of technical concepts in accessible language.
• He conducts undercover operations by creating decoy profiles to identify and expose online predators targeting minors.
• Ryan collaborates with law enforcement when possible, providing them with evidence collected through his cybersecurity expertise.
• He constantly develops new technical skills, adapting his approach as technologies and security vulnerabilities evolve.
• Ryan maintains relationships with various cybersecurity experts and organizations, creating networks of support for his missions.
• He documents predator activities meticulously, ensuring evidence is preserved for potential legal action and public awareness.
• Ryan practices ethical hacking, respecting boundaries while using his skills to protect vulnerable individuals and organizations.
• He manages multiple business ventures simultaneously, balancing entrepreneurship with his mission to protect children online.
• Ryan maintains a persistent focus on his goals despite encountering resistance from institutions and legal challenges.
• He researches predators thoroughly before confrontation, gathering comprehensive evidence of their identities and activities.
• Ryan regularly scans the dark web for criminal activities, maintaining awareness of evolving threats in digital spaces.
• He values partnership and teamwork, working closely with others who share his mission to protect children.
• Ryan conducts careful reconnaissance before operations, planning confrontations strategically to maximize safety and effectiveness.
• He continuously monitors technological developments, staying ahead of both security advancements and emerging vulnerabilities.
• Ryan practices transparency in his methods, explaining his techniques to educate others about cybersecurity risks.
• He maintains composure during confrontations with predators, focusing on documenting evidence rather than emotional reactions.
• Ryan regularly checks dark web repositories for leaked credentials and personal information to assess vulnerability levels.
• He prioritizes digital forensics, collecting and preserving digital evidence that can withstand legal scrutiny.
• Ryan avoids alcohol and drugs, maintaining sobriety to remain effective in his mission and personal development.
• He creates educational content about cybersecurity threats to raise public awareness of digital dangers.
• Ryan engages with law enforcement strategically, building relationships that facilitate cooperation in catching predators.
• He continuously improves his methods based on experience, adapting techniques to increase effectiveness in protecting children.
• Ryan balances his public-facing work with behind-the-scenes technical operations that support his mission.
• He practices responsible disclosure of vulnerabilities, giving organizations opportunity to address security issues.
• Ryan maintains multiple backup systems for evidence, ensuring critical information about predators isn’t lost.
• He reads cybersecurity updates daily, staying informed about the latest threats and protection methods.

FACTS:⌗

• Online predators can appear within seconds of a child joining a public chat room, as demonstrated live during the interview.
• The Flipper Zero device can clone key fobs, intercept wireless signals, and create fake WiFi networks to steal information.
• Some wireless keyboards and mice are vulnerable to exploitation, allowing hackers to control computers through walls.
• Many household devices with WiFi capabilities connect to foreign cloud servers, creating security vulnerabilities in homes.
• A search for breached personal information revealed the host’s address, phone number and other personal details immediately.
• Pentester.com offers affordable cybersecurity scanning for $50 monthly, making protection accessible to small businesses.
• Ryan’s cybersecurity database contains over 140 billion records of breached information available for scanning.
• Zero-click exploits can compromise phones without any user interaction, making them extremely valuable to state actors.
• Nathan Larson, a former political candidate, operated multiple websites facilitating child abuse discussions and activities.
• Ryan Montgomery hacked multiple pedophile websites, extracting data on approximately 7,000 users from a single site.
• Florida recently enacted legislation allowing the death penalty for sexual crimes against children under 12 years old.
• Approximately 75% of children are willing to share personal information with strangers online, according to research.
• One in five American teenagers has received unwanted sexual solicitations online, according to research statistics.
• The average age a child first encounters explicit content online is 13 years old according to Guard Child research.
• Around 50% of cases of child sexual exploitation begin on social media platforms according to official statistics.
• Approximately 27% of online child exploitation cases involve a family member or acquaintance as the perpetrator.
• Ryan and his partner successfully caught 14 predators within their first couple months of operations.
• Many chat platforms require users to answer explicit questions to gain access, filtering out all but predators.
• Apple offers bounties up to $1 million for identifying critical security vulnerabilities in their products.
• Ryan discovered a vulnerability that earned him over $128,000 in platform credit from a major tech company.
• Professional “bug bounty hunters” can earn millions annually, but income is highly unpredictable and inconsistent.
• Ryan operated a massive botnet for cryptocurrency mining that infected tens of thousands of computers.
• 561PC was founded by Ryan Montgomery and Dustin “Scrappy” Lampros, an undefeated MMA fighter with a 8-0 record.
• To gain access to certain predator sites, users must explicitly approve of abusive behavior toward children.
• Ryan hacked into pedophile websites using previously unknown security vulnerabilities, creating “backdoor” access.
• Ryan maintains a face recognition system that can identify individuals from a single photograph across the internet.
• The Onion Router (Tor) anonymizes internet traffic by routing it through multiple servers worldwide.
• Ryan has caught predators working in schools, restaurants, and other positions with access to children.
• Online predators frequently operate on mainstream platforms including gaming networks used by children.
• Law enforcement often faces significant challenges in prosecuting online predators despite compelling evidence.

REFERENCES:⌗

• Pentester.com - Ryan’s cybersecurity platform for vulnerability scanning and breach detection
• 561PC (561 Predator Catchers) - Organization founded by Ryan and Scrappy to catch online predators
• Rapy.co and Rapy.to - Pedophile websites Ryan hacked to gather information on predators
• Project Veritas - Organization collaborating with Ryan to expose predators from his database
• The Treatment Source - Ryan’s former marketing company that generated leads for rehabilitation centers
• FBI Exploited Children Tipline - Where Ryan initially reported his findings about pedophile websites
• Flipper Zero - Customizable cybersecurity tool demonstrated during the interview
• The Onion Router (Tor) - Software used to access dark web sites with enhanced anonymity
• Telegram - Messaging app used by predator networks for communication
• AOL Instant Messenger - Where Ryan first connected with hackers as a child
• Robert Moore (Moore R) - Hacker who mentored Ryan and was later imprisoned for telecom fraud
• Nathan Larson - Former political candidate who operated pedophile websites
• Lucerne County Predator Catcher - Organization that caught one of the predators Ryan confronted
• Bug bounty programs - Security initiatives by companies like Apple, Facebook, and Amazon
• Grindr - Dating app used by Ryan and Scrappy in their predator catching operations
• OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) - Research methodology used to identify predators
• NFC (Near Field Communication) - Technology vulnerable to exploitation by hackers
• RFID (Radio-frequency identification) - Technology used in access badges vulnerable to hacking
• DSP (Digital Signal Processing) - Technology that can be used to intercept aircraft communications
• Vigilance Elite Gummy Bears - Product mentioned as a gift at the beginning of the interview
• Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup - Ryan’s nightly meal mentioned in the interview
• Hidden Wiki - Directory of dark web sites organized by category
• Liberty Champion - News source referenced regarding California legislation
• ABC News - Source for information about Florida’s death penalty legislation for child predators
• Concrete podcast - Recommended podcast that covers predator-related topics
• California Senate Bill 145 - Legislation regarding sex offender registration mentioned in the interview

RECOMMENDATIONS:⌗

• Use a password manager to create unique passwords for each online account to prevent credential reuse attacks.
• Install reputable antivirus software and consult with cybersecurity experts for comprehensive digital protection.
• Use RFID-blocking wallets and key fob shields to prevent wireless theft of personal and financial information.
• Be cautious about websites you visit and heed browser warnings about potentially unsafe or compromised sites.
• Monitor children’s online activities closely, regardless of potential friction, to protect them from predators.
• Verify who children are communicating with online, especially through gaming platforms and social media apps.
• Avoid using public WiFi for sensitive transactions, as networks can be easily compromised or duplicated.
• Consider using parental monitoring applications to oversee children’s digital communications and online activities.
• Replace wireless keyboards and mice with wired alternatives to eliminate potential remote access vulnerabilities.
• Be selective about smart home devices with internet connectivity to reduce potential entry points for hackers.
• Educate children about the dangers of sharing personal information online, especially with people they meet virtually.
• Scan your email addresses through security services to check if your credentials have been compromised.
• Report suspicious online behavior targeting children to both platform administrators and law enforcement immediately.
• Use virtual private networks (VPNs) when accessing sensitive information, especially on public networks.
• Regularly update software and firmware on all devices to patch security vulnerabilities as they’re discovered.
• Be skeptical of unexpected messages requesting personal information, even if they appear to come from legitimate sources.
• Implement two-factor authentication on all accounts that offer this additional security feature.
• Research cybersecurity practices specific to your children’s favorite platforms and implement appropriate safeguards.
• Consider using secure messaging apps with encryption for sensitive communications rather than standard text messaging.
• Regularly review privacy settings on social media accounts and limit the personal information shared publicly.
• Teach children about consent and appropriate boundaries in both online and offline interactions.
• Create open communication with children about online experiences so they feel comfortable reporting concerning interactions.
• Conduct regular family discussions about internet safety, adapting the conversation as children grow older.
• Check for browser extensions and plugins that can enhance online security and block malicious websites.
• Support organizations working to combat online predation through education, legislation, and direct intervention.
• Review your digital footprint by searching for your personal information online to understand your exposure.
• Be cautious about apps and their permission requests, limiting access to only what’s necessary for functionality.
• Keep sensitive documents and information off cloud storage services when possible to reduce exposure.
• Advocate for stronger laws and enforcement regarding online predation and child protection in your community.
• Consider supporting grassroots organizations like 561PC that are actively working to catch online predators.