Hi, I’m jT, also known as MajorJoker. I’m a SysAdmin, Ethical Hacker, Social Engineer, and Pentester with over 40 years of experience in the tech world. My passion for technology started early, sparked by my father, an engineer who introduced me to computers in the mid ’70s. I got my hands on a Commodore 64 and never looked back.
From building my first 286 PC and coding games in GWBasic to exploring BBSs and even tinkering with hardware (cable boxes, snack machines – all for the thrill of learning!), I’ve always been driven by curiosity and a desire to understand how things work. The ’90s saw me diving deep into programming (C, C++, Cobol, Pascal, Basic) and honing my social engineering skills – even managing to navigate the school network for a few “favors” (let’s just say I graduated with high honors in Computer Programming).
My career has been a whirlwind of diverse experiences. I’ve developed scheduling programs for security companies, implemented ISO9002 for a coal company (my first taste of network administration!), built coal lab analysis tools, and even became the go-to IT guy for a local cell phone company. I quickly rose to head tech and support center manager, where I helped build the first ISP in Southern WV and tracked down local script kiddies (a foreshadowing of things to come!). After the company was acquired, I managed state networks and developed an innovative out-of-band management system that caught the attention of Cisco and 3Com.
Wireless networking became my next frontier. I programmed routers, switches, and firewalls, earned my CCNA, and even had a memorable (and slightly embarrassing) encounter with security at a government facility – a lesson learned about the importance of ethical disclosure.
In the early 2000s, I embraced ethical hacking with a Dell Axim and a CF wireless card. I mapped wireless networks, identified vulnerabilities, and helped local businesses secure their systems. This led to collaborations with hacker groups, participation in online communities like 4chan, and even a bit of “online mischief” (harmless, of course!) that kept some folks in suits on my trail for a while.
For the past 20+ years, I’ve been a dedicated SysAdmin for a global company. While my “moonlighting” days are mostly behind me, I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and experience with the next generation of tech enthusiasts. I believe in continuous learning – “Learn something new every day, and you will never get bored.”
**What’s Next?**
I’m working on sharing more stories about my experiences, including social engineering tales, details about my “online mischief,” insights from the training seminars I’ve given to corporations, and even some reverse engineering adventures. Stay tuned for updates!
Keep learning and safe hacking!
jT (MajorJoker)
