Hackers Busted After 1 Becomes FBI Informant

Published March 7, 2012 7:36AM (EST)

NEW YORK (AP) — Computer hackers are not expected to disappear after the first major U.S. law enforcement attack against members of a group that calls itself Anonymous.

The revelation that criminal charges were unsealed Tuesday against four people in Europe and two in the United States brought vows of retaliation. One defiant message posted to Twitter boasted: "Anonymous is a hydra, cut off one head and we grow two back."

Law enforcement authorities built their case in part with the help of a legendary hacker known as "Sabu." He was arrested last June and was revealed to be a self-taught, unemployed computer programmer with no college education. Authorities say he worked out of his lower Manhattan public housing unit. They say his work already has helped prevent more than 300 computer-based attacks.


By Salon Staff

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