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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1989Posted:

Monster-Munch That is a lot of money worth of stuff he took off of them but maybe they should have more security for such a big company.


Maybe they'll end up using him to help their security..

NissanPosted:

I bet hacking isn't so fun when you go to jail because of it.

AdamuPosted:

That is a lot of money worth of stuff he took off of them but maybe they should have more security for such a big company.

MykPosted:

19 and can hack major companies? Wow I'm impressed.

RinPosted:

Sanctyy
Potion
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.


Heard about this happening a lot tbh. Companies are often impressed when people like this can bypass their security or whatever, and end up hiring them to bump up their security.

Google has done it but I don't know about gaming companies.

LostPosted:

I wonder how many years he'll get. If I was him I'd bulk up for prison.

KatsumiChanPosted:

ShouterdayFairy Wow. Just.... Wow. That ''Unreleased Software'' is something i want :D


It was probably the Xbox One Dev Kit fiasco.

21Posted:

Potion
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.


Heard about this happening a lot tbh. Companies are often impressed when people like this can bypass their security or whatever, and end up hiring them to bump up their security.

DurkOTFPosted:

What's gunna end up happening is they are going to work for Microsoft or fbi n use their skills for good

gtapro151Posted:

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


nope but a lifetime of garshed paychecks might as well be jail time


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