Information Security News: University of Texas student charged in hacking of school's computer system

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/5393600.htm

March 14, 2003

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Authorities filed federal charges Friday against 
a 20-year-old student accused of hacking into a University of Texas 
computer system and stealing Social Security numbers and other 
personal information from more than 55,000 students, faculty and staff 
members.

Christopher Andrew Phillips, a computer science major at the Austin 
campus, was charged with unlawful access to a protected computer and 
unlawful use of a means of identification.

He turned himself in to federal officials Friday morning, said 
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Devlin.

Phillips told officials he had no intention of using the information 
to harm anyone, according to the complaint filed by a Secret Service 
agent who searched Phillips' residences in Houston and Austin.

Phillips said he wrote and executed a computer program designed to 
access a university Web site, Texclass, that tracks employees that 
attend training classes, according to the complaint. By gaining access 
to Texclass, he was able to access a broader range of information, 
including names and Social Security numbers from a University 
database.

A grand jury is examining the case, Devlin said.

If convicted, Phillips could face a maximum of 8 years in prison and a 
maximum fine $500,000 in restitution.



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