The fundamental problem with your commentary livid is that those self same people with a background in `networking' or programming who are genuinely worth employing, are almost always also people who have an urge to explore their environment. Systems & places, (which, often, for spurious, fear induced, self serving reasons - beaurocratically speaking) are considered , at best, on the borders of illegality.

Basically, an e-security firm employer wants nouse in their employees, there is no guarantee that some asshole four year comp science degree'd sys-admin is going to have the qualities neccesary for a security job posing any challenge. The world is full of people who are qualified in `networking' & programming, also qualified in speeling dozens of programs a year absolutely pitted with unchecked printf's or rubbish c++ code.

However, `hackers' of talent, knowledge, ethics (even `fuzzy' ones) & understanding are thin on the ground - on all shades & facets of the hat. A conviction does not make you an evil genius or beelzebub, but a piece of coffee stained paper on the wall sure don't make you jesus.

That said, I have had dealings with Abene at a different time under different aliases & generally have my doubts about the guy. (You couldn't really trust anyone sitting in front a terminal at the time though.) Revealing his `co-conspirators' in exchange for a plea bargain. At the same time, a reasonably approachable sort purportedly.

Also abusing his access to arbitrary systems outrageously. As well as being enourmously arrogant, and, (dare I say it), whoring himself to the media - funny how we forget these things isn't it?

@Stake must have had their heads buried in the sand during the 90's not to have known about him! He had his own tv show as I recall! Phiber is still pretty newsworthy also btw.

Unless he has changed considerably, as an employer I probably wouldn't touch him with a barge pole either!

l0pht / @Stake, (despite the `cool hacker image' & nicks), are very cautious diplomatically, they won't rock the boat. So kids, you are out of luck!

Just look at the reply l0pht sent to Antioffline.com for an interview... `We don't involve ourselves in holy wars... in fact anything to do with antionline is automatically /ignored...'

- headline: corporatism ruins hackerdom?

For a blackhat `hacker' deep in the scene (should i say k1ddie, is that PC, newswise?) it's a small step from one vicious, corrupt wheedling but power hungry scene to a more corrupt crappy scene. (Think of Bill Gates the ultimate corporation Skr1pt kidd13, what was the quote? `the key to success is destroying all competition...' Sort of like a global pecuniary ddOs... heh.

Hiring hackers won't ruin your office meeting, but will you ruin theirs?

Nice,

hal0

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