Hacker Mitnick allowed online once more

Notorious computer hacker Kevin Mitnick, who was banned from by US authorities from going online, has now served his time and has been allowed to log on for the first time in almost a decade.

The event marks the end of a long journey for the 39-year-old convicted cybercriminal. Mitnick began his trip through the US legal system in February 1995, when he was captured in a raid and sent to jail for almost five years for computer crimes against companies including Sun Microsystems and Motorola. The prison term was followed by another three and a half years of restrictions regarding Mitnick's access to computers and the internet.

Mitnick said: "The greatest relief is that I am no longer subject to any conditions of supervised release. I am a free man. Being prohibited from the internet has been an impediment going forward with my own business."

The first website Mitnick visited was that of his girlfriend, Darci Wood, a TV producer. He also visited the website of actor and producer Kevin Spacey, with whom he has discussed a movie deal.

Importantly Mitnick said he has left his criminal past behind him. "I learned my lesson," he said. "I have a lot of plans, and hacking isn't part of them."