They were eventually identified as six teenagers, taking their name after the IBM-sponsored
Explorer Post in their hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which used the telephone
area code 414. They ranged in age from 16 to 22 and many met in an Explorer Scout program sponsored by IBM. The 414s were described as meeting the profile of computer hackers at the time: "Young, male, intelligent, highly motivated and energetic". Neal Patrick claimed his only motivation was the challenge of getting into places he was not supposed to, and remaining there undetected. Another member, Tim Winslow, began learning computers on a teletype his math teacher brought in to school. comparing it to the film released earlier that year. The 414s themselves were not entirely harmless, doing $1,500 worth of damage at Sloan-Kettering during their June 3, 1983 break-in by accidentally deleting billing records. Patrick and the 414s did cause real concern, as experts realized that others could duplicate their techniques and do real damage. The systems they broke into were exclusively running
Digital Equipment Corporation's (DEC's)
VMS and
RSTS/E operating systems. They used inexpensive personal computers, analog modems, and simple hacking techniques, such as using common or
default passwords published in DEC's manufacturer guides to log in to various timeshare systems. The 414s exploited a lack of administrative oversight and password care for systems. Among those reporting unusual hacking activities was Chen Chui, an administrator who discovered an electronic break-in, left a message for the intruders, and contacted the
FBI, who placed
wiretaps and eventually traced the calls back to Milwaukee. Gerald Wondra, 22 at the time, was the first visited by the FBI. Wondra lived with his mother in
West Allis, a Milwaukee suburb. Wondra said he was "curious, he was just having fun". == FBI investigation ==