[ISN] Would you hire a hacker?

http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/zdnn_smgraph_display/0,3441,2127467,00.html

Would you hire a hacker?

By Joseph C. Panettieri,
Sm@rt Reseller
August 12, 1998 11:49 AM PT

Some of the world's largest corporations hired Justin Petersen. So did the
FBI. In fact, in law-enforcement circles, he's known as Agent Steal, and
he's got a long list of technical skills and references that would make
most resellers drool. 

Consider his most recent tour of duty, which includes developing intranets
and extranets for Cosmic Media, a Los Angeles-based Internet consulting
firm that has deployed secure electronic commerce sites for Digital Media
and other fledgling businesses. He has also launched his own 1,000
square-foot computer center, which features two server rooms, a control
room and an earthquake resistant design.

Now, for the twist: Petersen, 37, is also a reformed hacker. Earlier this
decade he served time for breaking into several corporate networks, making
bomb threats and stealing money from a bank electronically.

"I imagine if I walked into a place and tried to get a regular job, my
record would be an issue," concedes Petersen, speaking from the Los
Angeles apartment he has called home since his release from prison last
year. "But I've known a couple of guys from Cosmic Media for a long time,
and I have other friends in the industry--including a Webmaster over at
CNET. Friends who are aware of my convictions support me and hire me. 

"Hacking was a phase I went through,"  continues Petersen. "I learned what
I wanted to learn, and I got it out of my system. That phase of my life is
over." 

FBI informant 

As if Petersen's story wasn't outrageous enough, portions of his digital
crime spree actually were committed while he was working undercover for
the FBI, according to court documents obtained by Sm@rt Reseller. He also
has crossed paths with notorious Internet hacker Kevin Mitnick.

[snip...]


-o-
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