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Old 03-14-2003, 05:19 PM  
kevinale
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 2,115
University of Texas "hacker" turned self in

Background info : HERE



UT student charged in computer hacking

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Friday, March 14, 2003

A student at the University of Texas was charged by federal prosecutors today with hacking into the school's computer system and obtaining thousands of Social Security numbers.

<img src=http://www.austin360.com/aas/metro/031403/0314hackcase_310.jpg>

Christopher Andrew Phillips, 20, a junior majoring in computer science, turned himself in to the U.S. Secret Service and was taken before a magistrate at the federal courthouse in Austin. He was released without having to post any money but would be liable for $10,000 if he violates any of various conditions, including a prohibition on the use of any computers without prior permission from the court.

Phillips is accused of two counts ? accessing a computer without authorization and using Social Security numbers without authorization. The maximum possible penalty is eight years in jail, $500,000 in fines and payment of restitution, said Matthew Devlin, an assistant U.S. attorney.

Allan Williams, a lawyer for Phillips, said it was premature to say how his client would plead. "We're cooperating in every way we can," Williams said. "He's never been in any trouble before."

A criminal complaint filed by Clarke Skoby, a Secret Service agent, said Phillips told investigators that he wrote a program to access the UT database, downloaded the information onto his personal computer and did not intend to disseminate the information or use it to anyone's detriment.

U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton said today that there is no indication that the stolen information was disseminated or used to anyone's detriment.


src : http://www.austin360.com/aas/metro/0...314uthack.html
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