[ISN] University of Texas student charged in hacking of school's computer system

From: InfoSec News (isnat_private)
Date: Fri Mar 14 2003 - 23:23:54 PST

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    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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