Computer hacker may end up working for police

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Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:00a.m.

A computer hacker from Whitianga has walked free from court, and in a classic case of poacher turned gamekeeper may end up working for the police.

18-year-old Owen Walker was alleged to be the mastermind of a group which caused millions of dollars worth of damage to computers. However, he has escaped conviction.

Owen walker was just 16 when he joined a cyber crime ring called ‘The A Team’.

He dubbed himself ‘Akill’, and using his own software he infected thousands of computers. 

Walker says he learnt the skills through practice and knowing the right people.

Walker made over $36,000 from his cyber-crime.

Afterwards he caused the University of Pennsylvania server to crash, then the FBI tracked him down.

He told New Zealand police he knew what he was doing was illegal, but did not believe it was criminal.

And today the judge ordered he pay $9,526 reparation to the university, but no conviction.

“Mr Walker is a young man with a potentially outstanding future,” the judge said. “A conviction for this type of offending could stand in his way.”

That is because the police say they might want to offer Walker a job. The FBI say Walker's robot network, or botnet, was one of the most sophisticated they have ever encountered.

New Zealand police say Walker's arrest put New Zealand on the cyber-crime map

Walker has also had job offers from overseas corporations.

He still lives at home with his mother in Whitianga, she has been trying to involve her computer obsessed son in more social activities.

“I'd rather him stay in New Zealand if he could, it would be good because we need people like him,” says Walker's mum

Walker went straight from court to the police station.

Police say there is no firm job offer but they do recognise the teenager's potential.

3 News / NZPA

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Comments

16 Jul 2008 07:52a.m.

harry wrote:

He should be locked away for the term of his natural life never to be allowed access to a computer.This type of scum has cost me about $1000 over the last 2 years and I am only a retired individual.The Judge should be immediatly dismissed. and a retrial held.This type of thing is no joking matter even if the judge thinks it is

16 Jul 2008 07:43a.m.

Alien wrote:

Tommo you might want to get your facts straight. The reason for the discharge is that the prosecutor, on behalf of the police, and I am told the FBI as well requested it, because with a conviction he would not be able to work with them. And if you are a professional computer user something like this shouldn't affect you, as it is typically the stupid people who do not have complete security that get affected by these people.

15 Jul 2008 05:59p.m.

Andrew wrote:

Not a satisfactory outcome. It is inappropriate for this type of offending for age to be taken into account. Given that the majority of perpetrators seem to be males of similar age a strong message has to be sent out. The opportunity was lost.

15 Jul 2008 11:50a.m.

Alien wrote:

lol, knew that would happen. And he wont have to pay any of the money, companies will pay his fines for him. He's going to make a truck load of money now working for different companies while contracting to different governments. I know many people will moan and complain, but in the industry he is now going into, what he did is just an application for a job. Let's hope he takes the overseas offers, because NZ is too talentless for his skills.

15 Jul 2008 11:46a.m.

Tommo wrote:

I have seldom felt angrier. This little geek needs to be taught a lesson and made an example of. What message does this send to other pimpley pests. Did the fuddy duddy judge understand the ramifications of this sneaky crime against professional computer users like myself. Next week he will be fining snivelling hoodies for tagging. Every day people are being fleeced for minor traffic offences. This is a farce someone should get that little turd.