http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=528&e=1&cid=528&u=/ap/
20021226/ap_on_hi_te/fcc_hacker
Ex-Computer Hacker Granted Radio License
Thu Dec 26, 5:21 PM ET
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By DAVID HO, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - A man the federal government once labeled "the most wanted
computer criminal in U.S. history" has won a long fight to renew his
ham radio license and next month can resume surfing the Internet.
Kevin Mitnick, 39, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., served five years in
federal prison for stealing software and altering data at Motorola,
Novell, Nokia (news - web sites), Sun Microsystems and the University
of Southern California. Prosecutors accused him of causing tens of
millions of dollars in damage to corporate computer networks.
Mitnick was freed in January 2000. The terms of his probation, which
expire Jan. 20, require he get government permission before using
computers, software, modems or any devices that connect to the
Internet. His travel and employment also are limited.
Mitnick has been allowed to use a cell phone for a couple of years and
received permission this year to type a manuscript on a computer not
connected to the Internet.
"Not being allowed to use the Internet is kind of like not being
allowed to use a telephone," Mitnick said Thursday in a phone interview.
Mitnick said he is starting a firm to help companies protect themselves
from computer attacks. He said the end of his probation will allow him
to do hands-on work.
Christopher Painter, deputy chief of the Justice Department (news - web
sites)'s computer crime section and the former assistant U.S. attorney
who prosecuted Mitnick, said that once the former hacker's probation is
over, he won't be subject to any special surveillance.
"Not any more than anyone else would," Painter said. He added that "if
there's any indication that anyone is engaged in illegal conduct, we're
going to look into that."
Mitnick led the FBI (news - web sites) on a three-year manhunt that
ended in 1995 when agents collared him in an apartment in Raleigh,
N.C., with the help of a top security expert. During the chase, Mitnick
continued breaking into computer networks and became a cult hero among
hackers.
Mitnick applied to renew his ham radio license in 1999, while still in
prison. The Federal Communications Commission (news - web sites)
ordered a hearing, citing that Mitnick at one time was "the most wanted
computer criminal in U.S. history."
FCC (news - web sites) Administrative Law Judge Richard Sippel granted
the license in a ruling made public Monday.
"He started hacking as an inquisitive teenager and wound up a disgraced
felon," Sippel wrote. "There is reliable evidence that Mr. Mitnick has
focused on becoming an honest, productive citizen."
Mitnick said he was pleased with the decision.
"We put on a good case to show the FCC that I'm sorry for my past
actions," he said.
Mitnick, who began using ham radios when he was 13, said it cost him
more than $16,000 in legal expenses to convince the FCC to renew his
license. Typical renewals are free. "It's the most expensive amateur
radio license in the world," Mitnick said.
Since his release from prison, Mitnick has appeared on television, as
an expert witness in the courtroom and before Congress, offering advice
about computer security. He also wrote a book, "The Art of Deception,"
which was published in October and describes scenarios where tricksters
dupe computer network administrators into revealing security details.
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