Phrack at 40: The Legendary Hacker Zine Celebrates Four Decades of Security and Subversion

The legendary hacker journal Phrack has turned forty, marking the occasion with its anniversary 72nd issue, published on August 19, 2025. Founded in the mid-1980s, this iconic publication is regarded as one of the oldest and most influential electronic magazines on hacker culture and computer security.

In its traditional manifesto, the editorial board emphasizes that Phrack has always been written “by hackers, for hackers”, remaining both a technical journal and a cultural document. Its articles not only reveal techniques and vulnerabilities but also capture the spirit of the era in which the scene was forged. Over the decades, Phrack has published material on telephone networks, operating system flaws, protocol weaknesses, and ideas that later shaped entire branches of cybersecurity.

The anniversary issue features 16 articles from renowned researchers, including Orange Tsai, mr_me, Saber, cyb0rg, and others. Among the topics: vulnerabilities in PHP, attacks on WebAssembly, analyses of DPRK APT groups, exploits targeting macOS and Android, sandbox evasion techniques, and new approaches to ROP attacks. The issue also includes a profile of the legendary researcher Gera, as well as a CTF competition, the winner of which will be awarded a unique “Phrack coin.”

The editors expressed gratitude to authors, artists, and donors, stressing that the magazine is still powered by its community—“built on enthusiasm, sleepless nights, and a love for the chaotic beauty of systems.”

Over the years, Phrack has become more than just a technical resource; it is a cornerstone of hacker identity. As its contributors note, “knowledge is the DNA of a hacker,” and the culture itself continues to evolve alongside technology. The latest issue stands as both a tribute to the old school and an invitation to a new generation of researchers.

The next edition, Phrack #73, is scheduled for release in the summer of 2026.