MLT (hacktivist)

MLT
Born 1994
Nationality British
Occupation former Grey Hat hacktivist
Known for Computer Security

MLT is the pseudonym of a former grey hat computer hacker and member of TeaMp0isoN. MLT was arrested in May 2012 in relation to his activities within TeaMp0isoN, a computer hacking group which claimed responsibility for many high profile attacks including website defacements of the United Nations, Facebook, NATO, BlackBerry, T-Mobile USA and several other large sites in addition to high-profile denial of service attacks and leaks of confidential data.[1][2]

MLT was the former hacking partner[3] of Junaid Hussain, who later went on to join ISIS and was killed in a drone strike[4] by the US Government after becoming the third highest target on their 'kill list' due to his role in inspiring international lone-wolf terrorism alongside his hacking activities for ISIS under the banner of Islamic State Hacking Division[5]

Arrest

On Wednesday 9 May 2012, MLT was arrested in Newcastle upon Tyne by the Metropolitan Police who released a statement saying: "The suspect, who is believed to use the online 'nic' 'MLT', is allegedly a member of and spokesperson for TeaMp0isoN ('TeamPoison')--a group which has claimed responsibility for more than 1,400 offences including denial of service and network intrusions where personal and private information has been illegally extracted from victims in the U.K. and around the world,"[6]

It was reported that MLT could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the events leading to his arrest.[7] Junaid Hussain who was also arrested in relation to the same offences received a 6 month sentence under the Computer Misuse Act and the Malicious Communications Act after pleading guilty to hacking the email account of Tony Blair, the former British Prime Minister.[8]

Recent Activity

After his arrest, MLT hase focused his attention on legitimate security research as opposed to illegal hacking activity. He has identified and reported critical vulnerabilities in sites such as eBay[9] and the US Department of Defense[10] and states that he avoids illegal activities and instead dedicates his time to participating in Bug Bounty Programs.[11]

In May 2015, someone purporting to be MLT featured on CNN, speaking to them about Junaid Hussain and claiming that he witnessed him appear on video chat once as a 'black power ranger' while wielding an AK-47.[12] In August 2015, MLT featured on Episode 5 of the TV show Viceland Cyberwar where he spoke about subjects ranging from the security of autonomous cars to the death of his former hacking partner.[13][14]

References

  1. ↑ Introduction to cyberwarfare: a multidisciplinary approach. 2013.
  2. ↑ "British Cops Arrest Third Teampoison Hacker". NBC. 2012. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  3. ↑ "How a Teenage Hacker Became the Target of a US Drone Strike". Vice. August 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  4. ↑ "British Born ISIS hacker killed in drone strike". The Independent. August 2015. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  5. ↑ "British Hacker is No. 3 on Pentagon kill list". The Sunday Times. August 2015. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  6. ↑ "teampoison hacker suspect has anonymous ties". darkreading.com. 2012-05-11. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  7. ↑ "teenager arrested over teampoison hacking attacks". telegraph.co.uk. 2012-05-10. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  8. ↑ "teamp0ison hacker trick pleads guilty to hacking tony blairs e-mail". threatpost.com. July 2012. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  9. ↑ "eBay XSS bug left users vulnerable to (almost) undetectable phishing attacks". Sophos. January 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  10. ↑ "Researcher Finds Several 'Serious' Vulnerabilities in US Military Websites". Vice. January 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  11. ↑ "TeaMp0isoN member interview". Security Affairs. August 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  12. ↑ "ISIS jihadi linked to Garland attack has long history as hacker". CNN. May 2015. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  13. ↑ "Cyberwar: Syria's Cyber Battlefields". Viceland. August 2015. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  14. ↑ "MLT on the Future of Hacking". Viceland. August 2015. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
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