Canadian hacker also struck Outlawnet

The Canadian hacker who allegedly brought down some of the world's busiest Internet sites is likely the same one who attacked Outlawnet in Sisters last year.

"Mafiaboy" was arrested in Montreal, Canada, on April 15 for a series of attacks that occurred on February 8. From Canada, he allegedly accessed a computer at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and then used that machine to launch an attack at CNN in Atlanta.

According to an email sent to Outlawnet President Jon Renner by a special agent with the FBI, "my investigation determined that Mafiaboy was also responsible for your intrusion. We were able to trace the Outlawnet intrusion back to a DSL account in Ohio. The DSL account had logs showing the intruder hacking Outlawnet, through the DSL account, from an account in Canada..."

The agent wrote that they learned the Canadian account belonged to Mafiaboy. Mafiaboy's identity is protected under Canadian law because he is only 15 years old.

The attack on Outlawnet occurred during the first weeks of June last year. Customers could not get on the Internet, and when they did, service was very slow, according to Renner.

Renner said the Sisters Internet service provider "spent $6,405 in direct repair costs, and sustained an estimated loss of revenue of $3,440, making the loss total $9,845," as a result of the attack.

This includes the loss of 43 accounts which were directly attributable to the intrusion, Renner said.

Because Mafiaboy is 15, "he will not likely be charged in Oregon with the Outlawnet attack because of his age," wrote the FBI special agent.

Renner said Outlawnet was unlikely to pursue civil damages against Mafiaboy.