391: A Terrified UK Hacker, NASA’s Secret Files & the Life Sentence That Hung Over Him episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 30, 2026 · 1H 49M

391: A Terrified UK Hacker, NASA’s Secret Files & the Life Sentence That Hung Over Him

from Mile Higher · host Mile Higher Media & Audioboom Studios

Today, the fear of hacking into our government’s sensitive digital information is one of the country’s top national security priorities. However, what if the largest U.S. government hack in history wasn’t perpetrated by a foreign adversary, but a regular guy with his home computer in London? Gary McKinnon, using off-the-shelf, legal software, was able to hack dozens of Government computers, some even located in the Pentagon. His goal: to spread his political message of anti-imperialism and search for evidence of extraterrestrial life. But what followed his hacks was a decade in which he feared extradition and a life behind bars in the United States. Still, the question remains: what did he find?AuraFrames: The perfect gift https://auraframes.com/milehigher to save $25 on a Carver Mat frame! Use code MILEHIGHER at checkout!Casper: The sleep that you deserve https://casper.com and save up to 20% on mattresses!ZocDoc: Take the stress out of appointments https://zocdoc.com/milehigher catch up on those checkups!MintMobile: Save on your phone bill https://mintmobile.com/milehigher to get started for the best in unlimited plans!Intro 0:00Gary's Early Life 13:53Not Like the other Kids 23:24The Death of the Living Spaces 30:10Learning to Hack 39:46Fuel on the Fire 52:16Breaking into the Government Computers 1:07:25Simpler than it Should Have Been 1:23:04Legal Troubles 1:33:00The End? 1:43:22Final Thoughts & Outro 1:54:18Mile Higher Media website: https://milehigher.com/ Higher Hope Foundation: https://www.higherhope.org/ Mile Higher Merch: milehighermerch.comCheck out our other podcasts!The Sesh https://bit.ly/3Mtoz4XLights Out https://bit.ly/3n3GaoePlanet Sleep https://linktr.ee/planetsleepJoin our official FB group! https://bit.ly/3kQbAxgMHP YouTube: http://bit.ly/2qaDWGfAre You Subscribed On Apple Podcast & Spotify?!Support MHP by leaving a rating or review on Apple Podcast :) https://apple.co/2H4kh58MHP Topic Request Form: https://forms.gle/gUeTEzL9QEh4Hqz88You can follow us on all the things: @milehigherpodInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/milehigherpodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MileHigherHosts:Kendall: @kendallraeonytIG: http://instagram.com/kendallraeonytYT: https://www.youtube.com/c/kendallsplaceJosh: @milehigherjoshIG: http://www.instagram.com/milehigherjoshProducers:Janelle: @janelle_fields_IG: https://www.instagram.com/janelle_fields_/Ian: @ifarmeIG: https://www.instagram.com/ifarme/Tom: @cinematomgrapherIG: https://www.instagram.com/cinematomgrapher/Podcast sponsor inquiries: [email protected]✉ Send Us Mail ✉Kendall Rae & Josh Thomas 8547 E Arapahoe Rd Ste J # 233Greenwood Village, CO 80112Music By: Mile Higher BoysYT: https://bit.ly/2Q7N5QOSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0F4ik...Sources: https://pastebin.com/Gkwcn9DYThe creator hosts a documentary series for educational purposes (EDSA). These include authoritative sources such as interviews, newspaper articles, and TV news reporting meant to educate and memorialize notable cases in our history. Videos come with an editorial and artistic value.

Today, the fear of hacking into our government’s sensitive digital information is one of the country’s top national security priorities. However, what if the largest U.S. government hack in history wasn’t perpetrated by a foreign adversary, but a regular guy with his home computer in London? Gary McKinnon, using off-the-shelf, legal software, was able to hack dozens of Government computers, some even located in the Pentagon. His goal: to spread his political message of anti-imperialism and search for evidence of extraterrestrial life. But what followed his hacks was a decade in which he feared extradition and a life behind bars in the United States. Still, the question remains: what did he find?

NOW PLAYING

391: A Terrified UK Hacker, NASA’s Secret Files & the Life Sentence That Hung Over Him

0:00 1:49:30

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

The Green Mile Don't Adjust Your Ninja Entertainment Each week, John Campbell & Mike Gorgone (Panel Up! Podcast) bring you in depth reviews of every episode of classic Incredible Hulk TV series. Explicit Lightness Kaylah Dillon Welcome to Lightness, a podcast blending spirituality and mental health to inspire and uplift. Hosted by Kaylah Dillon, a licensed counseling intern specializing in trauma, anxiety, and spiritual issues, each episode offers practical tools, spiritual insights, and personal stories. With experience in trauma recovery, mindfulness, Parts and Memory, and Reiki, Kaylah guides you toward balance and self-discovery. Join us weekly to connect with your higher self, nurture your mental well-being, and align with your true purpose. Explicit Mile High Musings IE Sports Radio IE Sports Radio’s Colorado chapter covering all sports from the Rockies with Aaron Yowell Sundays at 8pm MST. Theme Music: Song: Free Rock Music - Energetic Rock Background Music No Copyright - Rock Background Music No Copyright Music provided by Every Day Music Video link:https://youtu.be/QKXcGB1gBZY IESR Disclaimer Unless specifically stated otherwise, the views and opinions of hosts, guests, callers, and sponsors expressed on all IE Sports Radio shows broadcast are entirely those of the hosts, guests, callers, and sponsors, who are entirely responsible for all show content, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IE Sports Radio or its staff. These broadcasts are presented and made public AS ENTERTAINMENT, in the hope that they will be entertaining to the audience.Become a supporter of this podcast: <a href="https://www.spreak Explicit The Goddess Awakens Megs Bassili A community for ambitious women who are ready to awaken their divine feminine energy & align with their higher self Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Mile Higher?

This episode is 1 hour and 49 minutes long.

When was this Mile Higher episode published?

This episode was published on April 30, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Today, the fear of hacking into our government’s sensitive digital information is one of the country’s top national security priorities. However, what if the largest U.S. government hack in history wasn’t perpetrated by a foreign adversary, but a...

Can I download this Mile Higher episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!