Noob PR Stunts: How Fake Hackers Use NASA’s Hall of Fame for Cheap Fame | Real Researchers Call It Out
The story of a 17-year-old from Bihar entering NASA’s Hall of Fame went viral but cybersecurity researchers caution against the exaggerated portrayal of such achievements. Here’s why it matters.
Recently, Indian media outlets have been flooded with stories about Ram Jee Raj, a 17-year-old ethical hacker from Bihar, who reportedly earned a place in the NASA Cybersecurity Hall of Fame. Praised as a milestone and a “dream achievement,” the teenager’s recognition was widely covered across news portals and social channels.
While the story sounds inspiring, experts in the field of cybersecurity are raising concerns about its portrayal especially the claims of “hacking NASA” which they argue misleads the public and downplays the real work of ethical hackers worldwide.
Understanding NASA’s Hall of Fame
NASA, like many global tech organizations, runs a Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP) and often leverages platforms such as HackerOne or internal systems for vulnerability reporting. Participants who successfully submit valid findings ranging from trivial to critical bugs may be acknowledged by inclusion in their Hall of Fame page.
However, inclusion in this list does not necessarily indicate a groundbreaking hack or top-tier discovery. Security researchers note:
• NASA’s Hall of Fame currently includes thousands of names of contributors from across the globe.
• Recognition can be awarded for even low-severity vulnerabilities (P5 level) such as minor misconfigurations or non-critical security loopholes.
• The Hall of Fame is a thank-you page, not a leaderboard of elite hackers.
Why Researchers Are Frustrated
Many experienced cybersecurity professionals and bug bounty hunters have reacted strongly to viral reports, criticizing the media’s sensational storytelling. Their objections include:
1. Exaggeration of Scope
• Headlines that claim someone “hacked NASA” are misleading. The reported bug was a non-critical, low-priority issue (P5 severity) that posed minimal threat.
2. Undermining Real Work
• Many researchers spend years uncovering P1 or P2 critical vulnerabilities that could lead to data leaks, system breaches, or infrastructure risks. Such efforts rarely receive mainstream coverage.
3. PR Over Merit
• Some individuals and media houses are accused of turning minor acknowledgments into PR campaigns, overshadowing the value of sustained contributions by serious security experts.
4. Public Misunderstanding of Cybersecurity
• The hype creates a distorted picture where people equate every Hall of Fame entry with a “NASA hack,” ignoring the distinction between responsible disclosure of small bugs vs. critical exploit discoveries.
The Bigger Picture
None of this is to undermine Ram Jee Raj’s effort. At 17, showing curiosity, exploring cybersecurity, and responsibly reporting vulnerabilities is commendable. It sets a positive example for peers about ethical avenues in hacking.
But the narrative becomes problematic when the media glorifies minor achievements as global breakthroughs. Instead of presenting the nuanced reality of cybersecurity work, publishers often lean toward clickbait headlines because “Teen Hacker Breaks into NASA” will always draw more attention than “Student Correctly Submits Low-Severity Bug Report.”
Responsible Reporting in Tech
Cybersecurity experts argue that this incident should spark a conversation about responsible media coverage:
• Transparency in Severity: Reports should mention whether a bug was critical (P1/P2) or informational (P5).
• Contextual Recognition: Being in NASA’s Hall of Fame is good encouragement, but not equivalent to a major hack.
• Highlighting Real Contributors: Space should also be given to researchers solving high-risk vulnerabilities affecting millions, not just stories that fit viral narratives.
Conclusion
The story of Bihar’s young ethical hacker deserves recognition — but not at the cost of accuracy and context. While his feat is a testament to youth curiosity and the accessibility of cybersecurity learning, it should not be exaggerated into a “NASA hack.”
For the cybersecurity community, the concern isn’t about one teenager’s achievement — it’s about the misuse of media storytelling that overshadows the collective effort of researchers working silently on critical vulnerabilities every day.
In short, celebrating small wins is healthy, but turning them into false legends risks spreading misinformation about both the field and the people who advance it.
For the cybersecurity community, the concern isn’t about one teenager’s achievement — it’s about the misuse of media storytelling that overshadows the collective effort of researchers working silently on critical vulnerabilities every day.
In short, celebrating small wins is healthy, but turning them into false legends risks spreading misinformation about both the field and the people who advance it.
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Ayush Kumar BarnwalSeriously for some sake of money news publishes fake news without any research -
H4ac3r KunalSeriously news channels a flooded with such fake news , This shows the authenticity of our Indian news channels how much accuracy they have in their news
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VoxPoint News100% agree
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Ikaram AnjumHahahah 😂 kse kse logg hain yaha
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THE SINQUISITORSuch peoples always misuse of media for fake fame
