Teen pleads guilty in Microsoft and Valve hacking case

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An organized group stole data from various companies that include Microsoft, Epic Games, Valve and others. While previous members of the group have pleaded guilty, it was only until today that the fourth and final member of the group pleaded guilty to charges of hacking and intellectual property theft.

19-year-old Austin Alcala pleaded guilty to charges of hacking that occurred sometime during 2012 through April of 2014. According to a statement released by the Department of Justice:

The conspirators accessed and stole unreleased software, software source code, trade secrets, copyrighted and pre-release works and other confidential and proprietary information.


In a time where data theft is becoming more rampant, in this instance, client data was not compromised during the attacks. Although it is always difficult to put a price on intellectual property, the value of the stolen data is estimated to range between $100 million to $200 million USD. Alcala will be sentenced in a court of law in July of 2015.

Posted:
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/04/02/teen_pleads_guilty_in_microsoft_and_valve_hacking_case/?

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"Teen pleads guilty in Microsoft and Valve hacking case" :: Login/Create an Account :: 58 comments

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CybotzPosted:

Well he is gonna have a little time for stealing confidential information from Microsoft/ Epic/ and Valve.

SeedPosted:

Don't know why people think this guy is going to serve prison time. Offences like this generally won't result in jail time.

NarstieePosted:

Might be a stupid thing to do, but 19 and able to hack Microsoft is pretty genius to me.

Cgallagher21Posted:

They stole information through SQL Injection.. Oh my god 2015 and that still works on large companies?

"Through SQL injection and stolen logins, the men reportedly accessed the systems of targeted companies to steal trade secrets and turn them around for profit. In court, Alcala admitted he was personally involved in hacking into and stealing login credentials and intellectual property from victim companies including Microsoft and Zombie Studios, and that, in one instance, he shared a database file containing more than 11,200 login credentials from one targeted company, the FBI said."

GaryPosted:

JRMH People are talking crap, this guy is a notable dude. At 19, he hacked the two more important gaming markets, (X360 & PC) at 19. I've gotta say, this guy better get offers after prison.


Most of the time people in these types of situations will get offers from big companies and government agencies right after their sentence and don't even have to serve anytime in jail.

JRMHPosted:

People are talking crap, this guy is a notable dude. At 19, he hacked the two more important gaming markets, (X360 & PC) at 19. I've gotta say, this guy better get offers after prison.

MaggardoPosted:

Waterfalls going to prison with murders there going to ask him whys he's in there he better lie


He better lie, or when people ask him what he did and he says "computer hacking," there gonna be like "get in the corner and pull down your pants."

XboxPosted:

These kids are crazy.

But thats a lot of money.

WokzePosted:

19 and hacking Microsoft and Valve two huge companies, wow....

Enjoy prison :)

MickersPosted:

GMC I bet hacking ain't so fun when you get some jail time over it


hahaha, bet they don't feel smart then!


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