Over the weekend the FBI issued sealed search warrants against two suspected members of self-described "patriotic" hacking group the Deceptive Duo. Tonight's "Tech Live" reports.


The warrants initiated raids into the homes of Robert Lyttle, an 18-year-old from Pleasant Hill, California, and a second suspect in Florida. Since the FBI search warrants are still sealed, the second suspect was identified only by his screen name, "The-Rev." Officials say both suspects have a history of hacking.


In fact, Lyttle, who goes by the online name "Pimpshiz," was convicted as a juvenile for defacing websites with pro-Napster messages.


The Deceptive Duo has taken credit for defacing government and financial websites and says it has cracked sensitive networks. The hacking team claims it's trying to protect the United States from cyberterrorism.


Kelly Hallisey, who identifies herself as an "online mother" of sorts and mentors and tries to guide hackers, says both Lyttle and "The-Rev" have "well-established hacking resumes."



Neither suspect has been arrested for the Deceptive Duo hacks, but Lyttle is under house arrest for violating his parole. He was banned from going online and it appears the FBI has found ample evidence that he's using the Internet.


The FBI refused to comment on this story, but Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Dodie Katague, who prosecuted Lyttle in the pro-Napster defacements when Lyttle was still a juvenile, says Lyttle could be in serious trouble.


"Now he's an adult. He'll be treated harshly by law enforcement," Katague said. "He could be facing as much as 150 years in prison."


"This Lyttle guy has started a business," Katague added. "He's selling security solutions against hackers."


Katague says Lyttle wants to mirror the career paths of Kevin Mitnick and Kevin Poulsen -- ex-hackers who are now high-profile security gurus.


Poulsen has his own ideas about the Duo. He said he questions their patriotic intentions to protect America from cyberterrorists.


"Nobody thinks Osama bin Laden is after their Social Security number," Poulsen said.


However, Poulsen says he sees hactivism as having a place.


"One wonders post-9/11 if there's more room for benevolent hacking," Poulsen said.


But Katague has little sympathy for the Duo. "This patriotism is a crock," he said. "They're after the publicity."
The Source


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