Max Vision: FBI pawn?

Max Vision: FBI pawn?
Kevin Poulsen, SecurityFocus 2001-05-08

FBI agents called him 'the Equalizer': a security expert and confessed hacker who infiltrated the electronic underground to help the Bureau. When he drew the line at bugging a friend, they threw the book at him.

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Status Symbols 2001-05-08
Doesnt matter (1 replies)

For savvy business guys, status symbols are beautiful women, nice cars, nice suits, great scotch and cigars.. etc

For some reason in the world of hackers, crackers, and security pros (or mixtures thereof) - working with, being affiliated with, or hacking on Government peoples and systems is some ...

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Status Symbols 2001-05-09
really does not matter

Amen to that. Numerous testimonies of the same nature. The FBI MO surely looks like "let somebody else do the work and swipe the credit" or, even better "corner somebody, force him to do the work, and swipe the credit".

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How disgusting 2001-05-09
elliptic (2 replies)

It's situations like this that just disgust me. I wrote a letter for Max as well, and can't believe the gall and audacity of the FBI, as well as the pompous of the judge. This is truely a sign that as a citizen, you're powerless against the agencies established to "protect you."

Long live Ameri...

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Words to MAX 2001-05-11
 (1 replies)

This is sad news indeed. When 'good' has to screw over good to acomplish things. Archnids is wonderful, and the rest of MAX's work. On merit alone he should get off clean....

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Words to MAX 2001-05-14
Buki (1 replies)

Hmmm, look at it another way....if I were to physically break into your house, install some new door locks and a new security system, give you the keys and keep a set for myself, would I be guilty of a crime?

Would you be upset that I had access to yer porno-stash, significant other's underwear ...

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Words to MAX 2001-05-18
How to avoid an ambush

I will say this much in defense of MAX... you claim that he screwed some other crackers over. Well, you do know how to avoid an ambush don't you? The answer is pure and simple - never place yourself in a compromising position. These folks you clain MAX has screwed over most certainly would not be...

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Re: How disgusting 2007-02-15
BEUX

I sent an e-mail to the editor of WIRED.com

This man has PAID HIS DEBT.....WE NEED HIS HELP NOW.....IN CYBER SPACE.....GIVE HIM HIS BADGE BACK........

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Will DEFCON now have a "spot the informer" tshirt contest ? 2001-05-09
DEFCON 6 attendee

Will DEFCON now have a "spot the informer" as well as the traditional "spot the Fed" tshirt contest ?

This case is an example of how the PGP web of trust model can potentially become a "web of suspects".

How will this case encourage anyone to cooperate with the FBI in the future ?

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Just goes to show 2001-05-10
sp0re

this just goes to show, that no matter how much we uphold the law or the system, they will try to break you, and scr*w you at any opportunity that they see fit. This says much more about the illicit tactics of our beloved (heh) govt than it does about one of our own. Max, buena suerte amigo!...

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Freedom? 2001-05-10
(1 replies)

I think Max is really gettin the shaft on this deal. It makes our government look ever worse by trying to put him in jail, when all he did was help them.

"Land of the free? Who ever told you that is your enemy!"

Rage Against the Machine - Know your enemy.

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Freedom? 2001-05-11
mr. noname (1 replies)

Are you guys forgetting that the person they are nailing was attempting to set as many of you up as he could. He is only in trouble because he balked at setting up a friend. If the KGB/FBI had not asked him to set up a friend he would have burned as many people as he could....

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Freedom? 2001-05-11
Me (1 replies)

That is absolutely not the case. The only reason why he was working with the FBI was because they essentially had a gun to his head....

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Freedom? 2001-05-14
Not me

Don't forget, he had worked VOLUNTARILY with the FBI prior to this whole smack-down. Yes, the FBI held a gun to his head to cooperate. Yes, the FBI practiced a nasty game of blackmail when Max decided to pull back, but look beyond the simple picture.

He was guilty of a punishable crime regardles...

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facts (I did NOT inform on DefCon or other people) 2001-05-24
Max Vision (1 replies)

There is a lot about this case that has not been said or should be clarified, but it would take more than a few messages to address them. However, I will address the two biggest misconceptions regarding my assistance to the FBI.

Kevin Poulsen at SecurityFocus did a great job with the material he...

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Re: facts (I did NOT inform on DefCon or other people) 2008-06-02
Anonymous

Guess it doesn't matter now that you're going to do life for mass fraud eh? Agreed that your previous case was a little over the top and didn't necessarily deserve time, but I hope you rot in stanky prison cell hell for financially abusing old ladies. Maybe you can be one of those grey haired guys w...

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