Asperger's and Hacking: Is There a Connection?
Infamous British computer hacker Gary McKinnon last week managed to stave off extradition to the United States to be tried on charges that he broke into U.S. military and other government computers in 2001 and 2002. Key to his defense: He is a victim of Asperger’s Syndrome.
Individuals diagnosed with Asperger’s, a relatively mild form of autism, generally have difficulty engaging in social interaction and often exhibit excessive, ultra-focused behavior. The disorder is so commonly found among people in computer-related fields that it’s also known as “geek syndrome.” But are these traits that might steer people toward computers responsible for steering some of them toward hacking?
Albert Gonzalez, the 2009 TJX credit card hacker, piggybacked on McKinnon’s contention that they do. But another infamous hacker with Asperger’s says that’s a crock.
