Security News > 2003 > November > Teenager hacked into Cambridge Uni, court told

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/18/1069027081013.html Brisbane November 18, 2003 A teenager has faced court in Brisbane on charges of hacking into the computer systems of the world-renowned Cambridge University and Melbourne-based internet service provider, Pacific Internet. The arrest last month of information technology worker Adam Zachary Gilmore, 17, who lives in the west Brisbane suburb of Kenmore, was the first of its kind under Queensland's Criminal Code Act of 1995. Gilmore was not required to enter a plea in the Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday on the two counts of unauthorised access to computer systems using a telecommunications network. His arrest followed a short investigation by the Australian High Tech Crime Centre (AHTCC) after it received a complaint on October 23 from Pacific. Gilmore's home and workplace at Mt Gravatt were searched. He is accused of hacking into Cambridge University's computer system from July 27 to July 31 this year and using an existing vulnerability to alter administration access and system utilities. The second charge relates to accessing and modifying restricted data of a server operated by Pacific Internet. Pacific Internet managing director Dennis Muscat said the teenager did not cause any damage to the ISP's systems as the firewall in place prevented access to sensitive data. He said the intrusion detection system which the company had in place had worked as expected. AHTCC director, federal agent Alastair MacGibbon said: "As soon as Pacific Internet became aware a breach had occurred, they notified police immediately. Less than 24-hours later, we had arrested a suspect in Brisbane. "The quick notification and cooperation we received from Pacific Internet made all the difference in this case and I'd like to encourage all other Australian ISPs to do the same should they find themselves in a similar situation," MacGibbon said. He said comprehensive logs and records of access and activity provided vital evidence and urged all ISPs to ensure these are maintained. "We have worked collaboratively with industry to develop guidelines in relation to the types of data internet companies should retain and how this data should be handled for forensic purposes," MacGibbon added. Gilmore will face court again in Brisbane on February 16 for a committal mention of the charges. - ISN is currently hosted by Attrition.org To unsubscribe email majordomo () attrition org with 'unsubscribe isn' in the BODY of the mail.

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http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/18/1069027081013.html