By silicon.com, 15 June 2006 14:40
NEWS
Kevin Mitnick, perhaps the world's most famous convicted computer hacker, has broken ranks with a number of his former peers to say he has little sympathy for Gary McKinnon - the UK hacker who currently faces extradition to the US.
Although Mitnick, who spent five years in prison following his arrest and subsequent conviction in 1995 for hacking into the systems of major companies, will have a good idea what conditions could await McKinnon if imprisoned in the US, he has clearly given little thought to the Brit's plight.
Speaking to silicon.com's sister site ZDNet UK, Mitnick said of McKinnon: "He's the UFO guy, right?
"I think the excuse that he was trying to expose UFOs is laughable - he was allegedly hacking around all sorts of systems."
However, the US hacker-turned-security consultant expressed some surprise at the demands for extradition of McKinnon, suggesting the US is flexing its muscles because it can, rather than because it should.
Mitnick said: "I think they're trying to make an example out of him - you can't be in another country and escape American justice. Now, I'm not an expert on British law but surely he could be prosecuted in the UK for the same thing?"
When ruling on the extradition last month, Judge Nicholas Evans, told the court in London: "It must be obvious to any defendant that if you chose to commit a crime in a foreign country you run the risk of being prosecuted in that country."
McKinnon awaits a final ruling from the Home Office on his extradition.
Kevin Mitnick was interviewed by Tom Espiner for ZDNet UK
Comments
There are 4 comments. Join the discussion
1. Richard Starnes
Kevin Mitnick is correct; Gary McKinnon could be prosecuted under UK law. However, the maximum sentence under the UK's Computer Misuse Act is 5 years. Also, the UK's judges have a history of lenient sentencing regarding computer crime cases: Simon Vallor: 2 years, Paul Brogden sentenced to 175 hours of community service and confiscated his computer equipment, Raphael Gray sentenced to psychiatric care, Joseph James McElroy sentenced to 200 hours community service. The list of lenient sentences is extensive. This hardly acts as much of deterrent. Which last I checked was the point of criminal sanctions.
2. Apocalypse
I don't get why they have to put a hacker in jail for years and you can kill somebody and mark as crazy to just serv a few months. I think the government is so scared tehy think be putting more people in jail will help. For any hacker busted another one replace him or her. it's like any crime or terrorist. Just because they (goverment) kill or busted a person somebody is already replacing their place. It's a waits of tax payers money and should give the money to help the poor and homeless.
3. Cassandra
Hackers when found can expect to be tried and punished, especially where they cause damage or commit fraud. Does a nosy in Nasa really deserve a 5 years sentence? What a waste when the real issue is Nasa security should to keep its back doors shut. Why try to scare trespassers with huge sentences and extend USA jurisdiction? Just shut the gate before the horse bolts! The committed on US soil stuff is rot the US incarcerates men in Guantanamo Bay without trial because there is no case to bring on US soil. On US soil they'd have human rights - to a fair trial. Try being democratic? Try to protect and secure your interests before you revert to removing human rights when you feel under threat. Why domineer rather than negotiate?
If the US cannot trust the UK to handle a minor prosecution the so called special relationships can't be worth a button.
4. Rupert
Why should I as a US taxpayer pay more to protect our national computer systems because some punk thought it a challenge?
Although I don't agree with gitmo perhaps if hackers were nabbed from their home countries and locked up indefinitely with no trail the hacking would slow to a trickle.
By the way, all hackers convicted should be barred in all countries from obtaining employment in any type of computer industry.