Original URL:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/27/mckinnon_extradition_hearing_begins/
'Pentagon hacker' McKinnon fights extradition
By John Leyden (john.leyden at theregister.co.uk)
Published Wednesday 27th July 2005 15:50 GMT
A Briton accused of hacking into numerous Pentagon and NASA computers began
his fight against extradition today. Gary McKinnon (AKA Solo), 39, of Wood
Green, north London, allegedly hacked into 97 military and NASA computers
over a 12 month period from February 2001 until March 2002, causing an
estimated $700,000 (£370,000) in damages.
McKinnon allegedly exploited poorly-secured Windows systems to attack
networks run by NASA, the Pentagon and 12 other military installations
scattered over 14 states. The unemployed sysadmin was arrested in March
2002 by UK police prior to a November 2002 indictment
(http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/cyberlaw/usmck1102vaind.pdf) by a
Federal Grand Jury over eight computer crime offences. US authorities are
seeking to extradite McKinnon, who faces charges punishable by fines of up
to 80 years in jail if convicted. McKinnon is contesting the extradition
arguing through his lawyers that he ought to be tried in the UK.
At a hearing at London's Bow Street Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (27
July) prosecutors detailed (and updated) allegations that McKinnon seized
control of over 53 US Army computers, 26 US Navy computers, 16 NASA
systems, one US DoD computer and one US Air Force computer.
Mark Summers, representing the US government, said McKinnon mounted an
attack in February 2002 that shut down Internet access to 2,000 military
computers in the Washington area for 24 hours. McKinnon is accused of
scanning networks for vulnerabilities and extracting admin accounts and
passwords prior to using a software program called RemotelyAnywhere to
snoop on network traffic, install hacking software and delete system logs.
These actions led to the collapse of the Washington-area network. He
admitted leaving a note on one US Army computers that said: "Us foreign
policy is akin to government sponsored terrorism these days... I am SOLO. I
will continue to disrupt at the highest levels."
"The defendant's conduct was intentional. His objective was to disrupt the
operation of the US government... thus endangering public safety," Sommers
told the court. Despite the seriousness of the alleged attacks, US
authorities are keen to stress no classified information was obtained
through the year long assaults. Authorities reckon McKinnon acted alone and
are not attributing his alleged crimes to any terrorist motive.
The defence asked for time to obtain expert opinion from a US legal experts
and the case was adjourned until Tuesday 18 October. McKinnon's bail was
extended on condition that he make no attempt to apply for international
travel documents or to use a computer connected to the internet. District
Judge Nicholas Evans relaxed a requirement to report to his local police
station every day so that he only has to attend twice a week.
Karen Todner, McKinnon's solicitor, argued that as a Briton her client
ought to be tried in the UK. In a prepared statement delivered outside
court she criticised the delay between McKinnon's initial arrest and the
start of extradition proceedings. "Gary McKinnon continues to vigorously
contest extradition which was only belatedly requested by the US
government. The British public need to ask themselves why British citizens
are being extradited to the USA when the US government has not ratified the
extradition treaty between the two countries," she said.
McKinnon, smartly dressed in a green suit, remained attentive throughout
the proceedings and didn't betray any of the signs of nerves normally
associated with defendants in high profile computer crime cases. He was
supported in court by family and friends who ushered him into a waiting
taxi bypassing requests to pose for photos made by the media. A number of
websites have sprung up to support McKinnon's cause, the most comprehensive
and organised of which is run by our friends at Spyblog (here
(http://www.spy.org.uk/freegary/)). ®
Related stories
McKinnon warns off fledgling hackers as hearing looms
(http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/18/mckinnon_interview/)
Leave hacker scum to rot, says MP
(http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/13/longer_sentences_hackers/)
Pentagon über-hacker rap sheet spills attack details
(http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/11/mckinnon_indictment_snafu/)
Brit charged with hacking Pentagon, NASA
(http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/11/13/brit_charged_with_hacking_pentagon/)
Accused Pentagon Hacker's Online Life
(http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/11/19/accused_pentagon_hackers_online_life/)
Pentagon hacker Analyzer pleads guilty
(http://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/01/09/pentagon_hacker_analyzer_pleads_gui
lty/)
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