Alexander Mirvis 
Ryan Montgomery (0day): The Illusion of a Hacker
In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, the term “hacker” carries both mystique and credibility. Those who earn this title through rigorous learning, innovative coding, and successful penetration testing (pen-testing) stand out as pillars of the community. But, unfortunately, the rise of social media and self-promotion has blurred the lines between genuine talent and mere performance. Ryan, who positions himself as a “hacker” and participates in interviews to project this persona, seems to fall into the latter category. A closer look at his actions, knowledge, and portfolio reveals that he is not the hacker he claims to be. Instead, Ryan appears to be a “script kiddie” or “script baby”—someone who runs pre-built tools created by others without true understanding or skill. His reliance on gadgets like the Flipper Zero and his unimpressive GitHub history paint a very different picture from the self-proclaimed hacker persona he tries to sell.
A Hacker or Just a Script Baby?
A script kiddie refers to an individual who utilizes other people’s hacking tools or exploits without possessing the technical knowledge to create them. Script kiddies are often the bane of the cybersecurity community, as they rely on the hard work of skilled programmers while contributing little, if anything, back to the field. Ryan fits this description to a T. His dependence on tools like the Flipper Zero—a multipurpose hacking gadget popular for low-level exploits—demonstrates that his understanding of hacking techniques barely scratches the surface. Tools like the Flipper Zero are designed for people who want plug-and-play attacks with minimal knowledge, much like paint-by-numbers for aspiring artists who can’t yet paint on their own. A true hacker sees such tools as components to complement their own exploits, not as the entirety of their skillset.
In interviews, Ryan often talks in vague terms about hacking techniques, pen-testing, and cybersecurity. Yet, his discussions are mostly limited to surface-level, general knowledge. This is a common red flag among script kiddies who want to be perceived as hackers without investing the time to master the underlying principles. Words like “network security,” “phishing,” or “vulnerability management” might sound impressive to the uninitiated, but they are cybersecurity buzzwords that do not indicate practical expertise. Real hackers tend to focus on specific vulnerabilities they’ve uncovered, novel exploit chains they’ve developed, or contributions they’ve made to open-source security tools. Ryan, in contrast, rehashes concepts that anyone with a couple of hours on Google could learn.
GitHub: A True Measure of Contribution
A programmer’s or hacker’s GitHub repository is often a direct reflection of their skill, creativity, and contribution to the community. Some hackers have built powerful security tools, open-source libraries, or even disclosed major vulnerabilities to help others learn and improve. When you compare Ryan’s GitHub repository to those of real hackers, a glaring gap in quality and originality becomes apparent. Forked projects, where someone merely copies someone else’s code without adding anything of substance, dominate Ryan’s repository. This is a telltale sign that he lacks the coding skills necessary to write his own exploits or tools. My GitHub for instance (click here), is filled with various Cyber Security tools, which I have custom made.
In contrast, real hackers’ repositories are filled with original code, creative solutions to complex problems, and documentation for tools they’ve developed. They contribute to open-source communities, provide patches for software, and share detailed write-ups of vulnerabilities they’ve discovered. Ryan’s GitHub offers none of this. Instead, it suggests that his “hacker” persona is more of an act than a reality—copying other people’s projects to create the illusion of competence. Forking projects without meaningful contributions is not the same as developing one’s own tools or conducting in-depth security research.
Does Ryan Montgomery Even Know How to Code?
Another point of contention is whether Ryan can even write code on his own. Coding is the backbone of hacking. Without a solid grasp of programming languages—whether it’s Python for scripting exploits, C for low-level attacks, or JavaScript for browser-based vulnerabilities—any claim of being a hacker rings hollow. Given Ryan’s lack of original projects and the absence of meaningful contributions on platforms like GitHub, it is fair to question whether he even knows how to code at all.
Real hackers are proficient in multiple programming languages because they understand that exploits often need to be tailored to specific systems. Whether it’s reverse-engineering malware or writing buffer overflow exploits, coding is at the heart of the hacking process. Ryan, on the other hand, seems to get by using pre-packaged tools without any understanding of the code that powers them. If he were ever asked to write an exploit from scratch or create a tool that required advanced coding skills, he would likely be completely lost.
Buying Pen-Testing Supplies vs. Knowing How to Use Them
Another telling sign of Ryan’s lack of true hacking knowledge is his tendency to buy pen-testing supplies that others have developed. Buying gadgets like Flipper Zero, Wi-Fi Pineapple, or USB Rubber Ducky can give someone access to powerful hacking tools—but without the expertise to use these tools effectively, they become nothing more than toys. Real hackers use such tools as a means to implement their own custom attacks, not as a crutch to mask their lack of understanding.
In Ryan’s case, the tools he showcases appear to be status symbols rather than instruments of skill. He might show off a Flipper Zero to impress people in interviews, but anyone with basic knowledge knows that ownership of a tool does not equal mastery. A hammer in the hands of someone who doesn’t know how to build is just a lump of metal, and the same principle applies to pen-testing equipment. Simply buying tools without contributing to the field, publishing research, or demonstrating practical applications is superficial and reflects a lack of authenticity.
The Difference Between Real Hackers and Performers
The cybersecurity world can be unforgiving to those who pretend to have skills they don’t possess. Real hackers are problem-solvers—people who see challenges in code and networks and dedicate themselves to overcoming them. They spend countless hours learning, experimenting, and refining their skills. Many of them don’t care about public recognition; they care about improving the field and sharing knowledge with the community. When they speak in interviews or write blogs, they discuss detailed, technical concepts that reflect years of experience and hands-on practice.
Ryan, however, appears to be more of a performer than a hacker. His interviews lack depth, his GitHub is unimpressive, and his reliance on pre-built tools signals a lack of genuine skill. He might be able to impress an uninformed audience with buzzwords and flashy tools, but to those who understand cybersecurity, his act is transparent. Being a real hacker isn’t about owning gadgets or knowing the latest buzzwords—it’s about mastering skills and making meaningful contributions. Unfortunately, Ryan has done neither.
The Mask Slips
In the cybersecurity community, reputation is built on knowledge, skills, and contributions. Ryan’s reliance on tools like Flipper Zero, his shallow interviews, and his uninspiring GitHub suggest that he lacks the necessary expertise to be considered a real hacker. His public persona relies heavily on other people’s work, and there is little evidence that he has the skills to back up his claims. In reality, Ryan is just a script baby, someone who pretends to be part of a community he doesn’t truly understand. True hackers see through the facade—and it’s only a matter of time before everyone else does too.
