Hackers caught
Camden County Prosecutor Warren W. Faulk reported three juveniles plead guilty Thursday to participating in a course of conduct that facilitated and resulted in the hacking of Haddonfield Memorial High School’s computer system and the altering of students’ grades.
Keystroke recording software was used to obtain Haddonfield Memorial High School passwords to enter secured areas of the district’s computer system. Passwords were used to alter grades. It appears the juveniles used their access solely to alter grades.
They were caught when a school staff member observed one of the three juveniles, a 15-year-old Haddonfield resident, using similar software on a school computer in an attempt to obtain passwords for wireless networks.
The three male juveniles admitted to sharing information and discussing how to crack Haddonfield’s system. The cases were adjudicated as follows:
A Haddonfield 16-year-old plead guilty Thursday to second degree computer criminal activity before Family Court Judge Angelo DiCamillo. He is expected to receive a disposition of two years probation and 100 hours of community service. He admitted to accessing the school’s system and altering grades.
A second youth, a Haddonfield 14-year-old, plead guilty to third degree computer criminal activity and is expected to receive a disposition of 18 months probation and 50 hours of community service. He admitted to accessing the school’s system.
The third youth, the Haddonfield 15-year-old, plead guilty to third degree computer criminal activity and is expected to receive a disposition of 21 months probation and 75 hours of community service. He admitted to attempting to access the school’s system.
In addition, all three boys shared conditions attached to their probation. They are not allowed unsupervised use of a computer, cannot access Facebook, Myspace or any Web site related to the improper use of computers and cannot have inappropriate contact with each other. They also must write essays on improving their decision-making skills.
The names of the juveniles are not being released because of their ages.
The juveniles will receive final disposition Aug. 5 before DiCamillo.
