The 21-year old would only speak on condition of anonymity and ZDNet Australia
He claims the idea that he hacked into an Optus database is a beat-up story aimed at scaring him away from an earlier claim of unfair dismissal against the carrier - the outcome of which is still pending.
The one-time Optus employee claims he was previously employed as a Web administrator and content manager at the nation's second largest telco. He was dismissed from his role on November 23, 2001.
He says the charge of unauthorised access to a computer system levelled against him on February 15, 2002, refers to him browsing a publicly accessible Web site -- which he helped to build -- after his termination, using a username and password he set up for himself whilst he was on the carrier's payroll. Two counts of unauthorised modification of data with intent to cause impairment laid against him on the same date, he says, refer to his changing the username and password whilst being logged onto the site.
Whilst he admits that his logging onto the site after he was sacked was -quite a stupid thing" to do, he maintains he visited the site just once and only to see -how things were going". Asked if he considered, either at the time on upon reflection, that what he'd done was illegal, he said: -No, definitely not...If I wanted to do something criminal, I could've," he said. -All I did was browse the site, I didn't do anything wrong."
The alleged hacker claims that before his arrest for the -hacking" incident, he had lobbed a cry of unfair dismissal at the carrier. It is his belief that the telco's hacking claim is a scaremongering tactic to get him to drop those claims.
Whilst the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) confirmed that such a claim has been lodged, the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) has opted not to represent the former Optus worker - although he would fall under its jurisdiction - instead advising him to get legal representation.
Sydney-based solicitors Slater and Gordon confirmed that the man has taken up his entitlement of one, free legal consultation with them but a company spokesperson said it's doubtful whether he comes on as a client. -I don't think the Union has given him a lot of support," he said.
Optus said it could not comment on matters that were before the court. NSW Police was also unable to comment on the case.
