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Hacker Mitnick to advise on computer security
02/08/2000 12:46 - (SA)
Seattle - How do you turn a world-famous hacker and former convict into a productive member of society? That is the current task at hand for
probation officer Larry Hawley.
His most famous client is a celebrity in the international hacker scene: Kevin Mitnick, who is now trying to make a living as a writer and paid speaker.
The 35-year-old is out of prison after doing time for digital break-ins at companies like Motorola and Sun Microsystems. The
companies accused Mitnick of doing millions of dollars in damage.
Now, former enemy No. 1 of the FBI's computer-crime unit has found friends in the online magazine business.
The new website Contentville.com proudly lists the former hacker as a contributor. "You will hear from Kevin Mitnick," its ads say.
But just a few weeks ago, its announcement seemed premature after Larry Hawley ruled out Mitnick's writing gig.
The probation officer was granted far-reaching powers in the Mitnick case by federal Judge Mariana Pfaelzer of Los Angeles.
"We have had a terrible, terrible time with this defendant," she said from the bench in June, adding that, among other restrictions,
a travel ban imposed on Mitnick was justified.
The judge reminded Mitnick's attorneys that their client had eluded authorities for almost three years before his 1995 capture.
It took weeks of negotiations to finally come up with a deal that allows Mitnick to work. He has paid a largely symbolic restitution of 4 125 dollars and has vowed to obey all stipulations of his parole, including a ban on using computers.
The former hacker has said he might as well use a typewriter to compose his speeches and articles.
Getting the green light to go back to work comes as a big relief to Mitnick, who now is also allowed to work as a computer-security
consultant - he can make a living by exploiting his fame, even though he can no longer profit from his crimes.
In an attempt to demonstrate his good will, he appeared before a Senate Committee in March to testify about information security
issues.
His knowledge was much appreciated, just as it was during a recent gathering of people far closer to his heart.
At the Hacking on Planet Earth 2000 conference in July in New York, Mitnick was able to use his officially regained freedom of speech
for the first time.
He addressed the crowd by phone from Los Angeles and talked about his techniques - a presentation that was, of course, intended as an
warning to potential victims.
Mitnick focused on what is known in hacker circles as social engineering - the manipulation of people who have information
valuable to someone trying to gain illegal access to computer systems.
The former hacker described how slick conmen are able to obtain such information over the phone. But simple tricks also scare away
the slickest social engineers, including announcing before all phone conversations that the call will be recorded, Mitnick said.
Perhaps now, with the short leash of Hawley, Mitnick, whose crimes are the subject of a book and movie, will become famous for less-
infamous sorts of deeds. - Sapa-DPA
- SAPA
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