Feds Charge Cable Modem Modder With Aiding ‘Computer Intrusion’

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An Oregon hardware hacker and author has been hit with federal criminal charges arising from his longstanding business of selling unlocked cable modems that can be used to steal extra speed from a broadband provider, or obtain free service. Ryan Harris, known by his pen name DerEngel, was charged in Boston with a conspiracy count, and charges of aiding and abetting computer intrusion and wire fraud. “I read the indictment — it’s complete bullshit,” says 26-year-old Harris, author of the 2006 book Hacking the Cable Modem .