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Well, a convicted check fraudster (Frank Abagnale http://abagnale.com/ (is responsible for designing and getting implemented most of the anti-fraud devices used on checks today... Hint: use a gel pen for filling out checks, because the ink can't be "lifted".

A six figure salary and a supercomputer? Re-watch the end of "Catch Me if You Can"; he'll get a low-grade government salary, half of what the guy whose paid to watch everything he does gets, he won't be allowed computers at home, not even a game console or Internet enabled refrigerator.

catch me if you can was a movie with tom hanks and leonardo di caprio that embellished mightily on the real life tale of a check forger and the fbi agent who pursued him.

what is true about the story though is that the check forger in question went on to become one of the fbi's most valuable anti-forgery experts and he eventually went on to make millions helping banks design anti-forgery checks. here is the man's website.

so whenever i see someone like this sasser/ netsky author get caught, or another virus or worm author in the news, i can't help but think: why doesn't microsoft just hire the guy?

seriously, a brilliant criminal is just someone who's skills are being expressed in the right forum, but in the wrong direction. all law enforcement has to do is flip the brilliant criminal into an asset as a condition of a smaller criminal sentence/ fine for them. eventually, they may find real respect and success in their field of expertise on the white hat side of things.

and this isn't fiction i'm inventing, this is exactly what happened with frank abagnale jr. (of catch me if you can fame above).

well, for all i know, this IS what microsoft is doing... anyone have any news anecdotes to indicate this? anyone know whatever happened to the melissa virus author or the i love you virus author that they caught years ago?

The FBI and the country's largest financial institutions don't seem to agree. Abagnale WAS actively committing fraud, and is now among the top experts in his field, one known for being highly conservative in employment. Again, if you check the story, Schwartz never did anything other than his job. You'd be allowing Intel's abuse of an overly broad law to keep someone who could be an enormous asset to your company out. Companies that slam the door shut over an applicant's previous "mistakes" (as it is in this case) without investigating things for themselves first are shooting themselves in the foot.

This is not the first time someone spent their youth frantically committing fraud, then later became a respected consultant in the field. Frank Abagnale was a notorious document forger, whose exploits were documented (sort of) in a recent film .

I would give Mr. Mitnick the same benefit of the doubt that the many-times-felon Abagnale has been given over the last three decades,

Yes, it isn't fair that someone can later make money from the same skills and knowledge they used to commit infamous crimes. Its also not fair that incompetents get hired and promoted based on old fraternity ties, or on marriage to the head boss' niece.

At least the convicted Mitnick and Abagnale can demonstrate a high level of skill required for their current enterprises.

Like Frank Abagnale who, after a brief but brilliant career as a conman, was eventually hired by the FBI itself.

Frank has a site and serves as a consutant on security. (I suggest reading his Film and Book Comments) He's enjoyed a successful career after turning honest. Hopefully Kevin can do likewise. I recognized his name in an article on avoiding identify theft this morning.