Networking
Security
Telco/ISP
Storage
Hardware
Software
Oddware
Strategy
Finance
Training & Development
Login
|
Join iTnews
|
Sitemap
|
RSS
Reviews
|
Galleries
|
Events
|
Net Seminars
|
Whitepapers
|
Downloads
|
Newsletter
|
Videos
Home
>
News
>
Technology
>
Security
>
Kiwi hacker walks free from court
Security
Kiwi hacker walks free from court
By
Iain Thomson
Jul 17, 2008 7:52 AM
Tags:
kiwi
|
hacker
|
walks
|
free
|
court
A teenager from New Zealand accused of writing malware that could have stolen millions of pounds has walked free from court and may be recruited by the local police.
Owen Thor Walker, 18, also known online as 'Akill', pleaded guilty to several charges of interfering with computer systems but the case was discharged so that he will not have a criminal record.
The court said that it had taken the unusual step so that Walker could work with local police in fighting online crime.
Police have said that, while Walker did not take money directly from people's bank accounts, he was paid US$30,000 by persons unknown to write the malware.
The court fined him just US$11,000 and seized the computers he had bought with his fee.
Both the prosecution and the defence teams argued that he should be allowed to walk free and work with the police in the future. Justice Judith Potter said that Walker was a young man with a potentially outstanding future in law enforcement.
Walker was caught as part of a crackdown by the FBI on botnets, the networks of infected computers that can be used to harvest banking data or in spamming or denial of service attacks.
Eight other people have been charged as part of the investigation.
The news of Walker's freedom will anger some in the computer security industry, who see the decision as unethical and likely to encourage others to follow in his footsteps.
Antivirus firms, in particular, never hire virus writers. "It is not something any reputable firm does," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.
"The industry is very clear that it does not hire criminals. In the case of antivirus they probably do not even have the skills we need."
Details of the group Walker had been working with have not been released since more arrests are expected shortly.
Copyright ©v3.co.uk
Related Articles
Hacker McKinnon refused Supreme Court appeal
EDS loses vital court case against BSkyB
Spammers taking advantage of free online hosters
Chinese hacker school shut down
Breaking Stories
NBN implementation report in Conroy's hands
Revealed: Apple's draconian app developer contract
Video: Building a supercomputer for Happy Feet 2, Mad Max 4
Capgemini offers test-and-dev as a service
Twitter takes action on spammers and scammers
Email this
Print this
Tweet this
Send us your tips
Comments
Be the first to comment on this article.
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
Comment:
Want to participate in the discussion?
Register for FREE
Or
log in
now to comment
Ads by Google
IT Whitepapers
Top Categories
Networking
Software Development
IT Management
Enterprise Applications
Storage
more technology whitepapers »
Latest Technology Jobs
Lead Business Analyst - Equities (P4)
Senior Flow Assurance Engineer
Crystal Reports Developer. PL/SQL.NET/Java. Finance. Contract to Perm
360 SAP RECRUITER - SYDNEY CBD -.$1000 REFERRAL FEES
Project Manager Business Banking Project (non IT)
Project Scheduler
more technology jobs »
Top Stories
Coalition to vote down Telstra break-up
Supports "sensible" reforms.
Datacom CEO speaks about flood damage
Affected customers can expect compensation.
Microsoft to kill off Essential Business Server
Development will end on 30 June.
Datacom data centre flooded by Melbourne storm
Found: Google Australia's secret data network
Researchers dissect ZeuS botnet blueprint
Salmat coder blamed for St.George data leak
Not all welcome at Perth anti-filter rally
ACTA leak: ISPs to be bound by new rules
Datacom data centre flooded by Melbourne storm
NBN Co unveils five national fibre test sites
Film industry appeals in iiTrial case
Not all welcome at Perth anti-filter rally
Spotlight
the topics we're following
Telstra Split
IINET vs AFACT
Cloud computing
Internet Filtering
NBN
Latest Comments
"I was disadvantaged because I didn't have a calculator at school, while some others did (it was ..."
on
Internet perceived as a fundamental right
by
Ace
Mar 10, 2010 11:31 PM
"@TheEvilMuppet: ... and beyond what is legal: the guy that stood in front of the tanks in ..."
on
Datacom data centre flooded by Melbourne storm
by
Sams
Mar 10, 2010 11:16 PM
"Digger11 wrote: "any one coming from a race like China or India" Um, China and India are are ..."
on
Not all welcome at Perth anti-filter rally
by
Sams
Mar 10, 2010 8:31 PM
"@drawkcab You're right there - the typical operator response to problems like these tends to be ..."
on
Datacom CEO speaks about flood damage
by
TheEvilMuppet
Mar 10, 2010 7:16 PM
"I don"t know if you where paid to run that story, Because it is one of the most difficult sites ..."
on
CBA confirms hosted e-commerce credentials
by
hpnotiq
Mar 10, 2010 5:44 PM
Plan Finder
Powered by
WhistleOut
Mobiles
Deals
Broadband
1)
HTC Magic
7 plans
10%
2)
Nokia N97
44 plans
11%
3)
Nokia E71
50 plans
5%
4)
Nokia E72
30 plans
17%
5)
Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB
36 plans
4%
This Guy is Not
Bob. This is...
Super-fast in home wireless broadband + local and national calls.
Sony Deals
With Optus
Great Sony PlayStation® deals available for a limited time with Optus.
Save $50 on
iPhone 3G 8GB
3 Mobile are offering $50 off an iPhone 3G 8GB on $49 cap and above.
3 Months Free
on HTC Magic
The HTC Magic is now available on the $29 Cap from 3 Mobile with 3 months free access.
3 Months Free
on Nokia N97
Big February update - now 3 months free with Vodafone on the $59 Cap.
3 Months Free
on Nokia E71
The Nokia E71 is now available on the $29 Cap from 3 Mobile with 3 months free access.
Nokia E72 +
3 Months Free!
The Nokia E72 - new model with full keyboard and 3 months free on the $49 Cap.
3 Months Free
with 3 Mobile
Get 3 months free on Nokia E71, Samsung F480, Nokia E63 and more with 3 Mobile.
New iPhone Price
on $49 Cap
Vodafone have released new iPhone 3GS prices on the $49 Cap.
$50 Credit on
iPhone + More
Get a $50 credit on selected plans (including iPhone) with Vodafone.
«
1
of
»
1)
Netspace
36 plans
33%
2)
3
7 plans
33%
3)
Optus
27 plans
2%
4)
iiNet
32 plans
1%
5)
Dodo
34 plans
1%
Mobiles
|
Broadband
|
Credit Cards
iTnews