A sting operation in which FBI agents downloaded data from two Russian-based computers has some high-tech lawyers concerned that the precedent may be used to justify indiscriminate, cross-border hacking.

The incident came to light last week after the indictment of two Russians on charges of breaking into the networks of banks, Internet service providers and other companies. While the charges were somewhat routine, the methods the FBI used to nab the pair were novel and potentially worrisome, said security experts.

According to court documents filed in the case, the FBI and Department of Justice lured two suspected Russian hackers to Seattle with job offers at a fictitious security company. After monitoring the duo's connection to two servers in Russia, the FBI used the suspects' passwords to download incriminating data from those servers.

The tactic is likely to be challenged in court