Tracing Back My Digital Roots: How Hacking Shaped My Tech Journey

SHAH ZAIB HERE, aka 5hezy/SH4HZ4IB

It all started around 2012–2013. I was just a curious kid with a laptop and a big interest in how things work behind the scenes — especially online.

Back then, I wasn’t into traditional coding. I was into the kind of stuff most people only read about: BackTrack OS, phishing, WiFi hacking, SQL injections, and digging into how websites really worked. I wasn’t doing it for harm — I was just obsessed with understanding systems, learning from communities, and testing boundaries.

By that time, I had admin access to some verified Facebook pages (which was a huge deal back then), worked with a small ethical hacking group, and even helped hack an Israeli motorbike website to issue a warning — all ethically, and with purpose.

I ran a blog back then too — sh4hz4ib.blogspot.com — where I used to teach others about antivirus tools, hacking basics, and tech tips. Believe it or not, I had access to a 300GB SIM data dump of Pakistani networks at one point. People even offered money for it, but I was young and believed in free knowledge — so I just helped whoever asked.

After that, life changed. I got disconnected from all those groups and skills. I went quiet for years. But the mindset never left.

Today, I’m doing a Software Engineering degree at DHA Suffa University. While I haven’t been the most serious student, I’ve always understood what I was taught. My background gives me a different lens — I see systems from the inside out, not just from textbooks.

Now, I’m rebuilding my online identity under the names 5hezy and SH4HZ4IB. This blog is a way for me to:

• Share what I learned back then and what I’m learning now

• Connect with like-minded tech heads

• Document my growth, projects, and journey ahead

This is just the beginning.