Hacker seeks fame, claims he stole Steve Jobs’ Amazon information

As if Steve Jobs doesn’t have enough problems, a self-identified hacker with the moniker of “orin0co” claims to have broken into Jobs’ Amazon.com account. Although he says he has Jobs’ credit card number, he says “I didn’t misuse it.” A wise decision on the part of someone already up to illegal shenanigans. If anyone can pull the strings of technology to trace that hacker, it is the founder of Apple Computer.

It appears that the hacker’s goal is to discredit Apple’s claims that the Mac is a relatively safe computer to use. His e-mail rant reads more like a missive from a publicity seeking, wanna-be-geek fellow. His failed attempt to sell the information he claims to have gleaned from Jobs’ account indicates too much TV time. He apparently believes he can profit from blackmail. He also, more likely mistakenly, thinks he can hide behind a secure Hushmail account.

Mr. orin0co wants us to believe that Jobs is a shop-a-holic who purchased 20,000 items in the last 10 years. That’s a lot of time in front of a computer ordering a lot of stuff. Once ya get it all, where ya gonna put it? From his typical attire at WWDCs, it doesn’t look like many of those 20,000 purchases ended up in his clothes closet. Jobs might not be a dresser, but he’s not a dummy when it comes to computer scams. It’s doubtful he fell for any phishing expedition.

Phishing is a well known sport among people who refuse to get a real job, and Amazon.com is a frequent target. Phishers have escalated their techniques and created a new scheme called spearphising or whaling. The scam is the same old story, but the targets are high ranking corporate officials. iDefense Labs outlined this new scheme last June, saying that over 1,000 corporate users were hit each month. Jobs’ profile certainly fits that of a “whale,” but the hacker just may get swallowed up like Jonah. You can’t mess with a big fish and not get caught in the wake.

The reaction to the rumor has been mixed. Mostly disbelief, with no comment from Amazon.com, nor Apple. We wonder what orin0co’s next move will be as he chases infamy.