Fergie's Tech Blog

NY Teen Hacks AOL, Infects Systems

Juan Carlos Perez writes on InfoWorld:

A New York teenager broke into AOL networks and databases containing customer information and infected servers with a malicious program to transfer confidential data to his computer, AOL and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office allege.

In a complaint filed in Criminal Court of the City of New York, the District Attorney's office alleges that, between December 24, 2006 and April 7, 2007, 17-year-old Mike Nieves committed offenses such as computer tampering, computer trespass, and criminal possession of computer material.

Among his alleged exploits:

• Accessing systems containing customer billing records, addresses, and credit card information
• Infecting machines at an AOL customer support call center in New Delhi, India, with a program to funnel information back to his PC
• Logging in without permission into 49 AIM accounts of AOL customer support employees
• Attempting to break into an AOL customer support system containing sensitive customer information
• Engaging in a phishing attack against AOL staffers, through which he gained access to more than 60 accounts from AOL employees and subcontractors

Nieves faces four felony charges and one misdemeanor charge. He was arraigned on Monday and remains detained, a District Attorney's office spokesman said. His next court date is Friday for a procedural hearing to determine the next step in the case, the spokesman said. Nieves' attorney didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

posted by Fergie @ 4/26/2007 02:42:00 PM