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Auernheimer has published a number of [[podcast]]s and keeps a [[LiveJournal]] blog<ref name="Schwartz"/> in which he offers commentary on racial and cultural issues. His views have proved controversial, causing [[Philip Elmer-DeWitt]] to dub him "the ugliest computer hacker".<ref>{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Elmer-DeWitt |title=The ugliest computer hacker |url=http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/06/17/the-ugliest-computer-hacker/ |newspaper=[[CNNMoney.com]] |publisher=Cable News Network. A Time Warner Company |date=17 June 2010 |accessdate=18 June 2010}}</ref> Others have interpreted his work as deliberately offensive humor, with [[Fox News]] calling it "offensive and witty detail"<ref>{{cite news |title=Hacker: I was behind Amazon Gay Book Delisting |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,514923,00.html |publisher=Fox News |date=14 April 2009 |accessdate=11 December 2010}}</ref> and a ''[[Forbes]]'' author telling readers to "think: [[Puck (Shakespeare)|Shakespeare's Puck]]".<ref>{{cite news |first=Talor |last=Buley |title=Amazon: Caught in the act |url=http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/13/amazon-gay-outrage-weev-technology-internet-amazon.html |newspaper=[[Forbes]] |publisher=[[Forbes magazine]] |date=13 April 2009 |accessdate=11 December 2010}}</ref> This interpretation is in dispute, with an ''[[Atlantic]]'' magazine author calling the Puck reference "oddly generous".<ref name="theatlantic">{{cite news |first=Niraj |last=Chokshi |title=Meet one of the hackers who exposed the iPad security leak |url=http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/06/meet-one-of-the-hackers-who-exposed-the-ipad-security-leak/57969/ |newspaper=[[The Atlantic]] |publisher=The Atlantic Monthly Group |date=10 June 2010 |accessdate=11 December 2010}}</ref>
Auernheimer has published a number of [[podcast]]s and keeps a [[LiveJournal]] blog<ref name="Schwartz"/> in which he offers commentary on racial and cultural issues. His views have proved controversial, causing [[Philip Elmer-DeWitt]] to dub him "the ugliest computer hacker".<ref>{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Elmer-DeWitt |title=The ugliest computer hacker |url=http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/06/17/the-ugliest-computer-hacker/ |newspaper=[[CNNMoney.com]] |publisher=Cable News Network. A Time Warner Company |date=17 June 2010 |accessdate=18 June 2010}}</ref> Others have interpreted his work as deliberately offensive humor, with [[Fox News]] calling it "offensive and witty detail"<ref>{{cite news |title=Hacker: I was behind Amazon Gay Book Delisting |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,514923,00.html |publisher=Fox News |date=14 April 2009 |accessdate=11 December 2010}}</ref> and a ''[[Forbes]]'' author telling readers to "think: [[Puck (Shakespeare)|Shakespeare's Puck]]".<ref>{{cite news |first=Talor |last=Buley |title=Amazon: Caught in the act |url=http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/13/amazon-gay-outrage-weev-technology-internet-amazon.html |newspaper=[[Forbes]] |publisher=[[Forbes magazine]] |date=13 April 2009 |accessdate=11 December 2010}}</ref> This interpretation is in dispute, with an ''[[Atlantic]]'' magazine author calling the Puck reference "oddly generous".<ref name="theatlantic">{{cite news |first=Niraj |last=Chokshi |title=Meet one of the hackers who exposed the iPad security leak |url=http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/06/meet-one-of-the-hackers-who-exposed-the-ipad-security-leak/57969/ |newspaper=[[The Atlantic]] |publisher=The Atlantic Monthly Group |date=10 June 2010 |accessdate=11 December 2010}}</ref>


Auernheimer has been a defender of unpopular speech, even when that speech meets strong opposition. He defended the satirical wiki [[Encyclopedia Dramatica]] in a [[Ninemsn]] interview<ref>{{cite news |first=Henri |last=Paget |title=Interview: Encyclopedia Dramatica moderator |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/technology/1025127/interview-with-encyclopedia-dramatica-moderator |newspaper=[[Ninemsn]] |publisher=Ninemsn, a Microsoft and PBL Media Company |date=9 March 2010 |accessdate=9 December 2010}}</ref> which was cited as "rather brilliant" in an article about Australian internet censorship published in [[The Register]].<ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=Oates |title=Irate aussies go after US website |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/03/17/aussie_censor_us/print.html |newspaper=[[The Register]] |date=17 March 2010 |accessdate=9 December 2010}}</ref>
Auernheimer is an advocate for free speech. He defended the satirical wiki [[Encyclopedia Dramatica]] in a [[Ninemsn]] interview<ref>{{cite news |first=Henri |last=Paget |title=Interview: Encyclopedia Dramatica moderator |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/technology/1025127/interview-with-encyclopedia-dramatica-moderator |newspaper=[[Ninemsn]] |publisher=Ninemsn, a Microsoft and PBL Media Company |date=9 March 2010 |accessdate=9 December 2010}}</ref> which was cited as "rather brilliant" in an article about Australian internet censorship published in [[The Register]].<ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=Oates |title=Irate aussies go after US website |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/03/17/aussie_censor_us/print.html |newspaper=[[The Register]] |date=17 March 2010 |accessdate=9 December 2010}}</ref>


His actions have sometimes been described as [[hacktivism]]. Australian media commentator [[Emma Jane]] has characterized him as a "celebrity hacktivist".<ref name=ta>{{cite news|last=Jane|first=Emma|title=Ugly trolls set internet freedom in flames|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/ugly-trolls-set-internet-freedom-in-flames/story-e6frg6zo-1226015791415|accessdate=29 March 2011|newspaper=The Australian|date=5 March 2011}}</ref>
His actions have sometimes been described as [[hacktivism]]. Australian media commentator [[Emma Jane]] has characterized him as a "celebrity hacktivist".<ref name=ta>{{cite news|last=Jane|first=Emma|title=Ugly trolls set internet freedom in flames|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/ugly-trolls-set-internet-freedom-in-flames/story-e6frg6zo-1226015791415|accessdate=29 March 2011|newspaper=The Australian|date=5 March 2011}}</ref>
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*[http://weev.livejournal.com/ weev's LiveJournal]
*[http://weev.livejournal.com/ weev's LiveJournal]
*[http://twitter.com/#!/rabite weev's twitter account]
*[http://twitter.com/#!/rabite weev's twitter account]
*[http://freeweev.info/ Andrew Auernheimer legal defense fund]


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Revision as of 20:46, 20 October 2011


A recent photo of Auernheimer
Photo of Auernheimer

Andrew Alan Escher Auernheimer[1] (pronounced AW-ren-hi-mer)[2] 1 September 1985), also known by his pseudonym weev, is an American grey hat[3] hacker and self-described Internet troll[4] who has been linked to several attacks on Internet sites. He has identified himself as Escher Auernheimer to the media, although most sources correctly provide his first name as Andrew.[4][5]

Hacking

Auernheimer claimed responsibility for the disruption to Amazon's services in April 2009 when many books on gay issues were reclassified as pornography.[6][7] Amazon claimed that Auernheimer was not responsible for the incident.[8] Even before the Amazon incident, several media publications profiled Auernheimer regarding his hacking and trolling activities, notably The New York Times, in which he claimed to be a member of a hacker group called “the organization,” making $10 million annually. He also claimed to be the owner of a Rolls-Royce Phantom.[9][10][11] After the Times story on Auernheimer was published, reporters sought out Auernheimer for commentary on hacking-related stories. Gawker published a story on the Sarah Palin email hacking incident and prominently featured Auernheimer's comments in the title of the story.[12]

AT&T data breach

Auernheimer is a member of the group of computer experts known as "Goatse Security"[1] that exposed a flaw in AT&T security which allowed the e-mail addresses of iPad users to be revealed.[13] The group revealed the security flaw to Gawker Media after AT&T had been notified, as well as exposing the data of 114,000 iPad users, including those of celebrities, the government and the military.[14] The actions of this group re-provoked the debate on the disclosure of security flaws.[15] Auernheimer maintains that Goatse Security used common industry standard practices and has said that "we tried to be the good guys".[3][15] Jennifer Granick of the Electronic Frontier Foundation has also defended the tactics used by Goatse Security.[15]

The FBI then opened an investigation into the incident.[16] The FBI investigation led to a criminal complaint in January 2011.[17]

Shortly after the investigation was opened, Auernheimer's house was raided by the FBI and local police. The FBI search was related to its investigation of the AT&T security breach but Auernheimer was subsequently detained on state drug charges.[18] Police allege that, during their execution of the search warrant related to the AT&T breach, they found cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, and schedule 2 and 3 pharmaceuticals.[19] He was released on a $3,160 bail pending state trial.[20] After his release on bail, he broke a gag order to protest what he maintained are violations of his civil rights. In particular, he disputed the legality of the search of his house and denial of access to a public defender. He also asked for donations via PayPal, to defray legal costs.[3][21]

In January 2011, all drug-related charges were dropped immediately following Auernheimer's arrest by federal authorities. The Department of Justice announced that he will be charged with one count of conspiracy to access a computer without authorization and one count of fraud.[22] Although his co-defendant, Daniel Spitler, was quickly released on bail, Auernheimer was initially denied bail due to his unemployment and lack of a family member to host him before being released on $50,000 bail in late February 2011.[2][23] Auernheimer was incarcerated in the Federal Transfer Center, Oklahoma City in February 2011.[24] A federal grand jury in Newark, New Jersey, indicted Auernheimer with one count of conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to computers and one count of identity theft in early July 2011.[25] As of September 2011 he is free on bail and raising money for his legal defense fund.[26]

Political views and critical reception

Auernheimer has published a number of podcasts and keeps a LiveJournal blog[9] in which he offers commentary on racial and cultural issues. His views have proved controversial, causing Philip Elmer-DeWitt to dub him "the ugliest computer hacker".[27] Others have interpreted his work as deliberately offensive humor, with Fox News calling it "offensive and witty detail"[28] and a Forbes author telling readers to "think: Shakespeare's Puck".[29] This interpretation is in dispute, with an Atlantic magazine author calling the Puck reference "oddly generous".[30]

Auernheimer is an advocate for free speech. He defended the satirical wiki Encyclopedia Dramatica in a Ninemsn interview[31] which was cited as "rather brilliant" in an article about Australian internet censorship published in The Register.[32]

His actions have sometimes been described as hacktivism. Australian media commentator Emma Jane has characterized him as a "celebrity hacktivist".[33]

Trolling

Auernheimer is a member of the Gay Nigger Association of America,[30] a group of organized trolls who take their name from the 1992 Danish movie Gayniggers from Outer Space.[34] Members of Goatse Security involved with the iPad hack are also members of GNAA.[17][30]

See also

References

  1. ^ Wallworth, Adam (19 January 2011). "Fayetteville man charged in e-mail scam". NWA Online. NWA Media. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  2. ^ a b Voigt, Kurt (21 January 2011). "No bail for 2nd iPad e-mail address theft suspect". MSNBC.com. Associated Press. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  3. ^ a b c AT&T iPad 'hacker' breaks gag order to rant at cops The Register, John Leyden. 7 July 2010
  4. ^ a b Mills, Elinor (10 June 2010). "Hacker defends going public with AT&T's iPad data breach (Q&A)". CNET News.
  5. ^ Hacker in AT&T-iPad Security Case Arrested CBS News, Elinor Mills. 15 June 2010
  6. ^ Thomas, Owen (13 April 2009). "Why It Makes Sense That a Hacker's Behind Amazon's Big Gay Outrage". Gawker.com. Gawker Media. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  7. ^ Fowler, Geoffrey A. (14 April 2009). "Did "Weev" Play a Role in Amazon "Error?"". WSJ Blogs. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  8. ^ Thomas, Owen (13 April 2009). "Amazon.com Says 'Embarrassing' Error, Not Hacker, Censored 57,310 Gay Books". Gawker.com. Gawker Media. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  9. ^ a b Schwartz, Mattathias (3 August 2008). "The Trolls Among Us". NYTimes.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  10. ^ Thomas, Owen (3 August 2008). "Journalists do it for the lulz". Gawker.com. Gawker Media. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  11. ^ Birch, Alex (8 August 2008). "Interview: Professional Hacker and Troll Weev". Corrupt. CORRUPT.org. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  12. ^ Moe (18 September 2008). "Hacker From That Times Story On Palin Emails: "i wish they'd done it properly"". Gawker.com. Gawker Media. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  13. ^ FBI Opens Probe of iPad Breach Wall Street Journal, Spencer Ante and Ben Worthen. 11 June 2010
  14. ^ Mills, Elinor (9 June 2010). "AT&T Web site exposes data of 114,000 iPad users". CNET News. CNET News. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  15. ^ a b c Worthen, Ben; Spencer E. Ante (14 June 2010). "Computer Experts Face Backlash". WSJ.com.
  16. ^ Tate, Ryan (9 June 2010). "Apple's Worst Security Breach: 114,000 iPad Owners Exposed". Gawker.com. Gawker Media. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  17. ^ a b United States District Court - District Court of New Jersey, Docket: MAG 11-4022 (CCC). Filed with the court 13 January 2011
  18. ^ Dowell, Andrew (17 June 2010). "Programmer Detained After FBI Search". The Wall Street Journal.
  19. ^ Mills, Elinor (15 June 2010). "Hacker in AT&T-iPad security case arrested on drug charges". CNET News. CNET News. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  20. ^ Perna, Gabriel (17 June 2010). "Arrested Hacker's Web Site Reveals Extremist Views". International Business Times. International Business Times. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  21. ^ weev. "Hypocrites and Pharisees". Goatse.fr.
  22. ^ "Criminal charges filed against AT&T iPad attackers - Computerworld". 18 January 2011.
  23. ^ Porter, David (28 February 2011). "Suspect in iPad Data Theft Released on Bail in NJ". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  24. ^ "Andrew Allen Auernheimer[original research?]." Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on 21 February 2011.
  25. ^ Stempel, Jonathan (6 July 2011). "iPad hacker Andrew Auernheimer indicted by Newark grand jury". Huffington Post. Reuters. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  26. ^ Mills, Elinor (12 September 2011). "AT&T-iPad site hacker to fight it on in court (exclusive)". CNET News. CNET News. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  27. ^ Elmer-DeWitt, Philip (17 June 2010). "The ugliest computer hacker". CNNMoney.com. Cable News Network. A Time Warner Company. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
  28. ^ "Hacker: I was behind Amazon Gay Book Delisting". Fox News. 14 April 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
  29. ^ Buley, Talor (13 April 2009). "Amazon: Caught in the act". Forbes. Forbes magazine. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
  30. ^ a b c Chokshi, Niraj (10 June 2010). "Meet one of the hackers who exposed the iPad security leak". The Atlantic. The Atlantic Monthly Group. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
  31. ^ Paget, Henri (9 March 2010). "Interview: Encyclopedia Dramatica moderator". Ninemsn. Ninemsn, a Microsoft and PBL Media Company. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
  32. ^ Oates, John (17 March 2010). "Irate aussies go after US website". The Register. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
  33. ^ Jane, Emma (5 March 2011). "Ugly trolls set internet freedom in flames". The Australian. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  34. ^ Dean, Jodi (2010). Blog Theory: Feedback and Capture in the Circuits of Drive. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press. p. 6. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)

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