Meet the Hackers

Kevin David Mitnick is a computer security consultant and author. He was a world-famous controversial computer hacker in the late 20th century, who was, at the time of his arrest, the most wanted computer criminal in United States history. At the age of twelve Kevin Mitnick used social engineering to bypass the punchcard system used in the Los Angeles bus system. After a friendly bus driver told him where he could buy his own punch, he could ride any bus in the greater LA area using unused transfer slips he found in the trash. Social engineering became his primary method of obtaining information, whether it be user names and passwords, modem phone numbers or any number of other pieces of data.

In high school, he was introduced by "Petronix" to phone phreaking, a method of manipulating telephones, which he often used to evade long distance charges. Mitnick also became handy with amateur radios; using radio equipment, Mitnick reportedly managed to gain unauthorized access to the speaker systems of nearby fast food restaurants. Mitnick gained unauthorized access to his first computer network in 1979, when a friend gave him the phone number for the Ark, the computer system Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) used for developing their RSTS/E operating system software. He broke into DEC's computer network and copied DEC's software, a crime he was charged and convicted for in 1988. He was sentenced to twelve months in prison followed by a three year period of supervised release. Near the end of his supervised release, Mitnick hacked into Pacific Bell voice mail computers. Mitnick fled after a warrant was issued for his arrest, becoming a fugitive for the next two and a half years.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice while a fugitive Mitnick gained unauthorized access to dozens of computer networks. He used cloned cellular phones to hide his location and, among other things, copied valuable proprietary software from some of the country’s largest cellular telephone and computer companies. Mitnick also intercepted and stole computer passwords, altered computer networks, and broke into and read private e-mail. Mitnick was apprehended in February 1995 in North Carolina. When arrested he was found with cloned cellular phones, over one hundred clone cellular phone codes, and multiple pieces of false identification.



Astrology chart

The Sun is in Leo opposite Saturn in Aquarius, when the Sun is opposite Saturn it can show trouble with the Government, and authority, can be viewed, as limiting his self-expression. The opposition in fixed signs is more rigid in expression. According to Carter in his book: Essays on the Foundations of Astrology. "Leo-Aquarian oppositions have produced great men, distinguished for courage and endurance, Leaders (Leo) of men (Aquarius) in difficult circumstances (the opposition). It is a sign of one who will attempt the seemingly impossible. Often the aim is through Scientific research, and always seems to indicate elevated powers". We can further the Aquarian archetype of Science, and add in another astrological key word for Aquarius - and that is an involvement with computers (Uranian). The only way to combat his opposition (Sun-Saturn) is for him to become an authority/expert in his field, and own his Saturn, otherwise he will persistently meet the law of limitation in the outside world. I have a Sun-Saturn opposition and in certain situations it pays to play by the rules and follow social conduct, this does not mean losing all individuality or an innovative mental life.

Kevin's Saturn in Aquarius shows the lone wolf, he is overly concerned with social acceptance. Perhaps in childhood he felt different from others, and the opposition between his Sun (ego) and Saturn (denied) can show an 'inferiority' complex here. Kevin can set himself apart from the rest of the crowd or herd. And "others" can identify him as geeky, intellectual, or someone who appears "different" to them. Saturn could stifle Aquarian energy, and this may contribute to his rebellious behavior. Saturn in Aquarius is a strong placement for a Scientist or someone who is seriously gifted with intuition, and there can be career goals in things of a Uranian nature, like computers. This is doubly true because Kevin's Mercury is in the analytic sign of Virgo in EXACT conjunction to Uranus, and this describes an original, inventive mind, his mental capacity woks at lightening speed. Mercury in aspect to Uranus can depict brilliance, but also difficulty in following the rules of the status qua (a rebellious mind).

Everything Kevin learns is stored away and can be used in practical and useful ways, he can provide a service involving computers, combined with his powerful analytical abilities (Virgo). Mitnik was born at the time of the Uranus-Pluto conjunction, an aspect associated with revolutions in technology and Science. Kevin also has Mercury conjunct Pluto, and he has a probing, intense, obsessive and secretive mind. He can ply information out of others, in a manipulative manner by not revealing his true motives. To summarise, Kevin can get in trouble with authorities (Sun-Saturn) for hacking (Mercury-Uranus) and reading information that was not open to the public (Mercury-Pluto). The conjunction also describes his new career of raising awareness (Uranus) of computer threats (Pluto). The Sun-Saturn opposition forms a t-square to Neptune in Scorpio - and a t-square to Neptune is one indication of deception in a natal chart.