Curious Case of Gary Mckinnon

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 extradited, as this would likely lead to him committing suicide. McKinnon's extradition was refused on humanitarian grounds, with the British government being hesitant about accepting the U.S. position on the matter. The U.K. chose to use executive discretion with regard to the topic, thus making it possible for the general public to gain a more complex understanding of the case in a context involving reason. The U.S.

expressed its disappointment toward the decision and indirectly brought on the idea that this was an abuse of discretion (Bassiouni, 2014, p. 982). Many are inclined to consider that the British authorities were wrong in choosing to refuse McKinnon's extradition. A series of Muslims were extradited into the U.S. on account of their involvement in a series of crimes associated with the cyber world. Furthermore, a Muslim person convicted of cybercrimes and extradited by the U.K. government also suffers from Asperger's syndrome. Even with this, the U.K.

government refused to discuss the matter further (Bassiouni, 2014, p. 982). A great deal of countries has criticized U.K. position on the subject, especially considering how it dealt with similar cases. "The exercise of discretion has also come under criticism by the Ecuadoran government, which accuses the United Kingdom of a double standard for ordering the extradition of Julian Assange, the Wikileaks founder, while simultaneously denying the extradition of Pinochet." (Bassiouni, 2014, p. 982) It is particularly intriguing to discuss the McKinnon case in the context of the more recent Assange case.

Certainly, many can argue that Assange's case is much more serious when considering that he published documents he came across. However, when considering the fact that he was actually interested in making the public better acquainted with secrets the U.S. government was keeping from them, it appears that the matter is less confusing than it initially seemed. In contrast, McKinnon deleted files and damaged databases belonging to the U.S. government for his own amusement, as there was no honorable idea behind his behavior. While the U.S.

government eventually accepted McKinnon's situation, it seems that it is determined to capture Assange. Some sources go as far as to assume that the U.S. authorities are behind Assange being accused of rape in Sweden. This was presumably orchestrated with the purpose of making it possible for European authorities to cooperate in giving Assange to the U.S. (Glover, 2010). It actually seems that the U.K. has a selective process when considering the way that it uses executive discretion. McKinnon's support experienced much progress as his case evolved.

"There were sympathetic press stories and a "Free Gary McKinnon" movement, complete with a Web site and demonstrations." (Brenner, 2010, p. 53) His supporters saw him as a victim and the media's tendency to.