Kevin Mitnick aka "The Condor" has died at the age of 59.

To most, his name won't say anything, but in the world of computer hackers he was a true legend, so much so that he even inspired a film, "Cybertraque", directed by Joe Chappelle in 2000

In the 1990s, Mitnick repeatedly defied the American authorities by stealing thousands of data files, including industrial secrets and credit card numbers (which he always claimed he never used).

In 1995 he was arrested by the FBI, thanks to the help of another computer security specialist, the Japanese Tsutomu Shimomura, whose computer he had managed to hack.

Indicted for illegal use of the telephone network and computer fraud, Mitnick pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison.

A disproportionate punishment for his supporters who organized a worldwide movement under the slogan "Free Kevin". Upon his release from prison in January 2000, he became a "white hat," the name given to ethical hackers who test computer security for companies and institutions.

According to an obituary posted online in his hometown of Las Vegas, The Condor died of pancreatic cancer and leaves behind an expectant wife.

(Unioneonline/lf)

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