AOL Underground

Steve Stonebraker

Interviews with users, hackers, and staff of America Online (AOL), covering the 90’s/Early 2000’s.

  1. JAN 17

    BMB - AOL-files.com, FDO, Invokes

    Pwning AOL with pure FDO. Hacking employee accounts. Downloading AOL files and posting them to aol-files.com. BMB recounts his amazing story Guest: BMB Host: Steve Stonebraker Audio Editor: Sam Fox (sam.fox.london@gmail.com⁠⁠) CoverArt: Created by Broast (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://broast.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), original idea by LampGold. -- AOL Underground PodcastFollow us on twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, @brakertech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reddit -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact the Host -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ReAOL Discord -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/p3ol⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Community Page -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aolunderground.com/community/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AOL 4.0 is working! -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nina.chat/connect/aol/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out my wife's Etsy shop -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker

    58 min

  2. JAN 6

    BoFeN - Mass Mailers, PW Stealer, ARiSE Warez Group

    Creator of Millennium, Blizzard, and Code Genie. Despite facing relentless criticism and accusations of code theft, his software gained widespread use. He remains active in coding today, applying lessons from the AOL scene to modern projects like his mobile wagering game, rockshotrush.com. Highlights Include: Origin of the handle "BoFeN" and his other alias "Nova". He was also known as TRiPP. Creation of Code Genie, a tool that automatically generated VB code for AOL interaction via the Windows APIUse of a "poser check" in his software to expose imposters claiming to be himDevelopment of a password-stealing executable disguised as a "Punter that Finally Works"Evolution from copying interfaces to building original, widely-used programs like BlizzardCurrent project: Rock Shop Rush, a mobile game with anti-cheat design rooted in his AOL experiences. rockshotrush.com⁠ Guest: BoFeN Host: Steve Stonebraker Audio Editor: Sam Fox (sam.fox.london@gmail.com⁠⁠) CoverArt: Created by Broast (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://broast.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), original idea by LampGold. -- AOL Underground PodcastFollow us on twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, @brakertech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reddit -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact the Host -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ReAOL Discord -⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/p3ol⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Community Page -⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aolunderground.com/community/⁠⁠⁠⁠AOL 4.0 is working! -⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nina.chat/connect/aol/⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out my wife's Etsy shop -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker

    41 min

  3. 10/11/2025

    Barrac1315 - KillTimer, AOL Beta Program

    The creator of KillTimer tells his story! Blog post about Killtimer: https://adventuresincomputing.bajgier.net/development/storytelling/2024/10/08/the-killtimer-story.html Highlights Include: First experiences with computers and getting onlineTeenage hacking, phishing, and the underground AOL sceneAOL beta program memories and chatroom hijinksEarly programming projects: Visual Basic, Delphi, C, C++, JavaThe story behind KillTimer: motivation, development, and releaseWebsite building, banner ads, and software site submissions Guest: Barrac1315Host: Steve StonebrakerAudio Editor: Sam Fox (sam.fox.london@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠)CoverArt: Created by Broast (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://broast.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), original idea by LampGold. --AOL Underground PodcastFollow us on twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, @brakertech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reddit -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact the Host -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ReAOL Discord -⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/p3ol⁠⁠⁠Podcast Community Page -⁠⁠⁠https://aolunderground.com/community/⁠⁠⁠AOL 4.0 is working! -⁠⁠⁠https://nina.chat/connect/aol/⁠⁠⁠--OtherCheck out my wife's Etsy shop -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker

    1 hr

  4. 05/02/2025

    Suspect - Keyloggers, Cracking, Exploits

    Suspect shares his journey through the scene, starting from his first experiences with computers in the mid-90s and becoming active in the AOL community from 2000 to 2008. He discusses early programming interests, the thrill and risks of downloading and creating software, and the culture of exploiting vulnerabilities in platforms like PHPBB and AOL/AIM screen names. Suspect also reflects on the unique social dynamics of AOL chat rooms and the transition from online exploits to real-life challenges and personal growth. The episode offers a nostalgic look at the technical creativity and camaraderie of the early internet era. Highlights Include: Discovering computers and early web exploits in schoolTransitioning from downloading programs to writing original codeThe culture of keylogging, screen name cracking, and AOL exploitsUsing Google to find vulnerable PHP forums and leveraging SQL injectionThe social scene of AOL chat rooms versus today’s online communitiesPersonal growth, life changes, and returning to tech through web development Guest: Suspect Host: Steve Stonebraker Audio Editor: Sam Fox (sam.fox.london@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠) CoverArt: Created by Broast (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://broast.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), original idea by LampGold. -- AOL Underground Podcast Follow us on twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@brakertech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reddit -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Merch -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Donate -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the Host -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ReAOL Discord -⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/p3ol⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Community Page -⁠⁠⁠https://aolunderground.com/community/⁠⁠⁠ AOL 4.0 is working! -⁠⁠⁠https://nina.chat/connect/aol/⁠⁠⁠ -- Other Check out my wife's Etsy shop -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker

    56 min

  5. 03/08/2025

    Pat or JK - API Spy, Find That Bas, Fate Zero Encryption

    Pat or JK shares why he created API Spy, a tool for automating Windows API interactions and Find That Bas, which analyzed .bas files to detect code reuse. Pat also talks about AIM Flash, genozide.bas, and getting Vader Fader to function on AOL 4.0. We discuss how he cracked MaGuS's Fate Zero's encryption. The episode wraps up with Pat's creative project, sub pixel snake, highlighting his inventive approach to programming. MaGuS if you read this please contact podcast@aolunderground.com, everyone wants to hear your story! Guest: Patrick Gillespie - ⁠https://patorjk.com/⁠ Host: Steve Stonebraker Audio Editor: Sam Fox (sam.fox.london@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠) CoverArt: Created by Broast (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://broast.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), original idea by LampGold. Show Notes: Pat's website - https://patorjk.com/Twitter - @patorjkSubpixel Snake - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDwganLjpW0Vader Fader on AOL 4.0 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Uly3hbtzKQCracking MaGuS’s Fate Zero Encryption https://patorjk.com/blog/2012/05/03/cracking-magus-fate-zero-encryption/ -- AOL Underground Podcast Follow us on twitter - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AOLUnderground, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@brakertech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reddit -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Merch -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Donate -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the Host -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ReAOL Discord -⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/p3ol⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Community Page -⁠⁠⁠https://aolunderground.com/community/⁠⁠⁠ AOL 4.0 is working! -⁠⁠⁠https://nina.chat/connect/aol/⁠⁠⁠ -- Other Check out my wife's Etsy shop -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker

    33 min

  6. 02/11/2025

    Robbie Saunders - AIM Filter, Protocol Fuzzing, Hacking

    Robbie's programming journey began with early exposure to computers and the internet, where he explored bulletin board systems and platforms like Virtual Places. He quickly became immersed in creating bots, filters, and tools for clan wars and later transitioned his skills to AOL Instant Messenger. Known for reverse-engineering protocols and crafting exploits, Robbie's work left a mark on the underground programming scene, driven by creativity and the thrill of innovation. Guest: Robbie Saunders -https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiesaunders/ Host: Steve Stonebraker Audio Editor: Sam Fox (sam.fox.london@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠) CoverArt: Created by Broast (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://broast.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), original idea by LampGold. Extras: https://www.informationweek.com/it-leadership/w00w00-s-suggested-aim-fix-is-no-fix -- AOL Underground Podcast Follow us on twitter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@brakertech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reddit -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Merch -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Donate -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the Host -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ReAOL Discord -⁠⁠https://discord.gg/p3ol⁠⁠ Podcast Community Page -⁠⁠https://aolunderground.com/community/⁠⁠ AOL 4.0 is working! -⁠⁠https://nina.chat/connect/aol/⁠⁠ -- Other Check out my wife's Etsy shop -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker

    49 min

  7. 02/04/2025

    Squirrel - Internal Account Cracking, PW Stealer

    Squirrel recounts experimenting with Visual Basic, creating programs, dabbling in exploits, and cracking OH and Internal accounts by bypassing SecureID via AOL Net Connect. Squirrel also discusses his transition to broader internet activities, including affiliate automation and early scripting exploits, while balancing his social life and tech interests. Guest: Squirrel Host: Steve Stonebraker Audio Editor: Sam Fox (sam.fox.london@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠) CoverArt: Created by Broast (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://broast.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), original idea by LampGold. -- AOL Underground Podcast Follow us on twitter - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@brakertech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reddit - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Merch - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Donate - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the Host -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ReAOL Discord - ⁠⁠https://discord.gg/p3ol⁠⁠ Podcast Community Page - ⁠⁠https://aolunderground.com/community/⁠⁠ AOL 4.0 is working! - ⁠⁠https://nina.chat/connect/aol/⁠⁠ -- Other Check out my wife's Etsy shop - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker

    27 min

  8. 01/25/2025

    Seven - Aim Invader, Exploits, CAN-SPAM

    Seven's journey began with curiosity about a crash exploit, which evolved into mastering programming languages like Visual Basic and C#. Known for creating tools like "AIM Invader" and reverse-engineering AIM protocols, Seven became a pivotal figure in the underground programming community. Despite facing legal challenges, Seven leveraged his skills to build a successful career, inspiring others through innovation and resilience. Guest: Seven Host: Steve Stonebraker Audio Editor: Sam Fox (sam.fox.london@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠) CoverArt: Created by Broast (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://broast.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), original idea by LampGold. Episode Extras: https://aolunderground.com/seven/ -- AOL Underground Podcast Follow us on twitter - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@brakertech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reddit - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/AOLUnderground/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AOLUndergroundPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Merch - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.redbubble.com/people/AOL-Underground/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Donate - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AOLUnderground⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the Host -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://aolunderground.com/contact-host/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ReAOL Discord - ⁠https://discord.gg/p3ol⁠ Podcast Community Page - ⁠https://aolunderground.com/community/⁠ AOL 4.0 is working! - ⁠https://nina.chat/connect/aol/⁠ -- Other Check out my wife's Etsy shop - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/Snowbraker

    48 min
See All (42)

5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Interviews with users, hackers, and staff of America Online (AOL), covering the 90’s/Early 2000’s.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Stonebraker
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Steve Stonebraker
  • Show Website
    AOL Underground