I was in college in 96. Email accounts were only for some limited staff and foreign students, but we all wanted one. I managed to get hold of one, with console

I was in college in 96. Email accounts were only for some limited staff and foreign students, but we all wanted one. I managed to get hold of one, with console access, because the mail interface was elm. I downloaded the passwd file and took it home to crack a few passwords, intending to take over accounts that were unused. Jack the Ripper beeped loudly every time a match was found. I had it running for hours, with the occasional beep, but suddenly the PC started beeping like crazy for a good minute. Turns out that the default password was no password at all, you'd set it up on the first login. It had found a big bunch of accounts created and never used, so me and my friends had struck gold. Even when we were inevitably caught it wasn't a big deal: Some "don't be naughty boys" over a few beers. Simpler times.