Gary McKinnon, a Scottish systems administrator, became infamous for perpetrating what is considered the largest military computer hack of all time. Between February 2001 and March 2002, McKinnon infiltrated 97 U.S. military and NASA computers.
He claimed his motivation was to uncover evidence of UFOs and free energy technology, believing that the U.S. government was concealing information of paramount importance to humanity.
Operating under the pseudonym "Solo," McKinnon exploited security weaknesses, gaining unauthorized access to networks. His actions caused significant disruptions, including the deletion of critical files and rendering over 2,000 computers inoperable, leading to nearly $1 million in damages.
The U.S. government sought McKinnon's extradition, leading to a prolonged legal battle. McKinnon, who was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, argued that extradition would severely impact his mental health. His case garnered widespread public and political support in the UK, including from human rights advocates and high-profile politicians.