Breach, Threat Management, Data Security

College student faces computer fraud charges, hacked peers’ accounts

A Pasco-Hernando State College student has been arrested and charged with 11 felony computer fraud charges after hacking into his peers' accounts.

Allen Lockser, a 21-year-old criminal justice technology student, hacked into 20 students' accounts via the site where they typically submit assignments and take tests, according to The Tampa Bay Times.

In addition to submitting quizzes on the accounts of five students, he deleted content such as discussion posts, emails, and other assignments. According to authorities, who traced the hacks to an IP address linked to Lockser's mother, he compromised the accounts in April via brute-force attacks.

A school spokesperson said the hack cost the institution $10,000 to investigate and correct. The authorities and school officials do not know Lockser's motive, but he will face disciplinary action from the college, in addition to the criminal charges.

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