TelstraClear hires teen botmaster Owen Thor Walker

by Steve Ragan - Mar 25 2009, 16:40

Owen Thor Walker (a.k.a. AKILL), has 'gone corporate' by taking a security-related job offered to him by Telstra's New Zealand-based subsidiary TelstraClear. The job involves consulting duties whereby Walker will address security issues for company management, and deal with seminars and advertising for the company.

In November 2007, Walker, known at that time as 'AKILL' in some circles, was arrested on charges stemming from his criminal use of a botnet. He was also accused of playing a key role in a gang that infected 1.3 million computers around the world.

The gang allegedly installed revenue-generating Adware and stole information worth about $20 million USD. According to the court, for his efforts in taking that money, Walker made about $30,000 USD.

In the end, Walker pleaded guilty to six charges of accessing computers for dishonest purposes and without authorization, damaging computer systems, and possession of software for the purposes of committing a computer crime. His sentence amounted to a stiff fine but no jail time.

Now it seems that his fine was covered by a paycheck, because he has been working with TelstraClear for a while, and is still covered by a contract preventing him from working for software security competitors. Interestingly, and in accordance with his sentence, Walker was not allowed contact with computers on TelstraClear’s network.

The security world is filled with consultants who, at one time or another, fell on the wrong side of the law. In most cases they took legitimate jobs after serving time for their crimes.

Some argue that Walker’s treatment could lead to other kids wanting similar jobs, if they are 'L33t' enough to snatch attention. It’s wise to remember, Walker is the exception to the rule.

If you get busted running bots and causing millions of dollars of related damage, chances are you’ll go to jail, as the courts will want to make an example in an effort to prove they can adopt a tough stance on cybercrime.

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