Court rips Goatse hacker a new one

One down and one to go. Last year, two hackers broke into AT&T’s 3G iPad authentication system and then very, very publicly published the information. Although they did succeed in outing Ma Bell’s sadly inadequate security, they also grandstanded and even toyed with the notion profiting from their illegal acts.

Goatse Security hackers Daniel Spitler and Andrew Auernheimer were arrested last year for hacking AT&T’s 3G iPad authentication system and then publishing more than 120,000 user email addresses and device identification numbers. Whereas Spitler was granted bail because he had a job, supportive people around him and, perhaps most importantly, cooperated with investigators, Auernheimer has been held in jail since arrest as he remained unrepentant and lacked anyone willing to help him.

I hack, I ruin, I make piles of money. I make people afraid for their lives. Trolling is basically internet eugenics. I want everyone off the internet. Bloggers are filth. They need to be destroyed. Blogging gives the illusion of participation to a bunch of retards …. We need to put these people in the oven!” — Auernheimer last June in a New York Times interview.

Now, Macworld UK reports that Spitler has reached a plea deal with the New Jersey court where he’s been charged. Although he could potentially be sentenced to 10 years, the agreement likely will result in 12 to 18 months in prison.

Given what we know of Auernheimer, who’s still trying reach a deal with prosecutors, it seems likely he’ll get a more severe sentence. Here’s hoping he gets some obviously needed help behind bars…

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