"I was pretty much the government's poster boy for what I had done"

Kevin Mitnick was a computer hacker who was jailed in 1995 for his unlawful activities. In this quote, he is referring to his past as a hacker and how he was utilized as an example by the federal government. He was viewed as a sign of what not to do and was used to warn people of the consequences of hacking. He was a cautionary tale for those who were thinking about engaging in comparable activities. His story was used to inform people on the risks of hacking and the possible repercussions. He was a symbol of the government's stance on cybercrime and was used to show the severity of the concern. His story was utilized to reveal that the government was taking a difficult stance on cybercrime which it would not be endured.