1983: The BBC is HACKED Live On Air | Micro Live | Retro Tech | BBC Archive

"Now look, Oz and Yug, just go away! We want to do a demonstration here, go away." - John Coll.

During a live demonstration of how to connect a computer to the British Telecom Gold phone network using an acoustic coupler or modem, Micro Live hosts John Coll and Ian McNaught-Davis get a few uninvited guests, in the shape of hackers Oz and Yug - who are out to prove that, when it comes to computing "Nothing is secure!"

Originally broadcast 2 October, 1983.

You have now entered the BBC Archive, a time machine that will transport you back to the golden age of TV to educate, entertain and enlighten you with classic clips from the BBC vaults.

[djdrwatson]

The hackers Oz and Yug were actually quite polite and funny. They could've been very rude and offensive.

[khaitomretro]

I remember watching this live. It's the result of using a 2 character password. So quick to btute force even on old slow networks.

[AnthonyChara]

Remember this well at the time. John Coll ended up being my next door neighbour in the early 90s - a lovely guy!

[wisteela]

I love everything about this. Great to see an extended version.

[ZacabebOTG]

The picture quality here is really nice aside from a few dropouts. The PAL Transform Decoding does a really nice job with the old 2" and 1" recordings (those that were not wiped, that is.)

[analogueman]

BT Gold... oh my word! I used that in the very early '90s to access the fledgling internet at the time. It was largely aimed at businesses rather than domestic users, as it was VERY expensive.

[WhatALoadOfTosca]

Back when you could broadcast your number, username and password live on tv and hope no one noticed ;)

[-xb]

Back when hacking was for fun instead of scamming people

[Mrjacharles]

80s was just a different world ... wish I had been alive to see it.

[roahnosh]

I love how he's just pressing keys normally unlike in movies where hackers spam their keyboard

[harrisonmorrow]

1980s Britain is such a beautiful aesthetic. Interesting to see RGB and remembering the 1988 BBC logo. CRT was such an incredible technology. I would kill for a little TV they have now.

Does anyone know what this would have been filmed on to permit the great quality now?

[cbwavy]

0:20 That acoustic coupler with the micro text message device was incredibly futuristic for this time.

Does anyone know the make and model?

[justinklenk]

I was half expecting him to get Rick Rolled.

[Greenpoloboy]

I have to admit, I do love those old corded phones.

[AndyKing]

RIP John Coll & Ian McNaught-Davis

[thomasdalton]

I love that the computer expert types by pecking at the keyboard with two fingers. That's even more of a culture shock than polite and humorous trolls!

[TheKievKen]

Imagine plugging your nice brand-new super-expensive shiny and clean acoustic coupler into a rancid early 1980s New York phone booth phone! I Probably reeked of piss for months afterwards.

[olliedann]

Is this the first ever 'steam snipe'?

[Urko]

I was a member of Micronet 800, fun times.

[billywashburn]

That telephone number on the back wall - gives me flashbacks to Saturday mornings and "Swap Shop".