Application security, Network Security

Celeb nude hacker sentenced

A Chicago man involved in the online postings of nude photos of several celebrities, including Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Upton, is headed to jail, according to the Chicago Tribune.

While Edward Majerczyk, 29, was not charged with actually posting the images, his involvement in the so-called "Celebgate" hacking affair warranted a nine-month sentence for breach of privacy.

Majerczyk admitted he gained access to more than 300 Apple iCloud and Gmail accounts using a phishing scheme. He'd send emails purporting to come from the security department of internet service providers requesting a username and password. Once he obtained the credentials, he gained entry to the accounts where he was able to siphon out  "personal information including sensitive and private photographs and videos," the plea deal said. As many as 100 celebrities were targeted.

In handing down his ruling, U.S. District Judge Charles Kocoras said Majerczyk's "conduct is abhorrent."

Majerczyk was also ordered to pay $5,700 in restitution to pay for counseling services for one of the victims whose image was disseminated online.

The prison term was part of a plea deal to one count of unauthorized access to a protected computer to obtain information. Majerczyk could have received five years for that charge.

He apologized to the court for causing "people pain and grief." 

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