Curious Case of Gary Mckinnon Case Study

Curious Case of Gary McKinnon

There is much controversy with regard to information in the digital age and Gary Mckinnon's case is especially intriguing when considering this discussion. The Scottish hacker is charged of having hacked into a U.S. database containing information stored on around one hundred computers owned by the U.S. military and by NASA. Mckinnon committed these activities between 2001 and 2002 and faced over ten years of judicial battles against extradition until 2013. In addition to the problematic implications of his crime, the case was even more difficult to address because of the U.K.'s reluctance to extradite the hacker.

When discussing this case, it is essential to consider the gravity of the situation, taking into account that McKinnon willingly acted against the U.S. military and NASA at the time when he accessed and stole files from the two institutions. Such an act is a direct affront to the very idea of society supporting communities that fight for peace and for humanity's progress in general. It would be safe to say that McKinnon's greatest victim is the U.S. government itself, as the hacker acted directly against it and as his actions could have inspired criminals to take on similar behaviors and to take advantage of the fact that both the military and NASA were exposed.

According to the United States of America v. Gary McKinnon case, the Scottish had "(1) deleted approximately 1300 user accounts; (2) installed RemotelyAnywhere; (3) deleted critical system files necessary for the operation of the computer; (4) copied a file containing usernames and encrypted passwords for the computer; and (5) installed tools used for obtaining unauthorized access to computers." This makes it possible for someone to comprehend the degree to which McKinnon got involved in U.S. databases. Furthermore, it emphasizes the fact that he was determined to bring damage to these respective databases and to the previously mentioned institutions.

McKinnon's actions are widely regarded as being the largest military hacking activity that ever existed.He faced extradition and risked receiving a seventy-year sentence if the British government were to extradite him.

It is difficult to look at the case by considering McKinnon's curious nature and his apparent innocence when considering the overall attitudes that he expressed consequent to being captured. When taking on an objective perspective with regard to the matter, one can easily observe how the hacker was unhesitant about stealing information from the U.S. military and from NASA and even about damaging databases he came across in order to achieve his interests.

McKinnon's case received widespread publicity on account of the significance of the topic and because of the political aspect of the matter. "His supporters argue that the prosecution was purely politically motivated rather than to prevent crime and that he has actually exposed expert failings that caused 'the shortcomings of security policies on U.S. military networks." (Wall, 2007, p. 25) McKinnon's supporters typically emphasize the ethical aspect of his crime by relating to how he was simply providing the masses with the ability to access information that society in general is entitled to knowing. This further complicates the situation and increases the difficulty associated with accusing the hacker of having actually acted against institutions that fight for the well-being of mankind. These respective institutions are highlighted as being less honorable than they might seem and McKinnon is brought forward as a hero fighting for social rights.

The fact that McKinnon accessed these documents should certainly be treated with the utmost seriousness. "The estimated loss to the various military organizations, NASA and the private businesses is approximately $900,000." (Curtis, 2011, p. 33) Even with this, such information is certainly divisive when considering that the U.S. government was also concerned about charging McKinnon on account of the embarrassment his actions have generated.

McKinnon suffers from Asperger's syndrome and depression. This influenced the British government to consider that it would be wrong for him to be….....