A 26-year-old journalist is in some hot water with the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Yesterday, federal authorities charged Matthew Keys, a deputy social media editor for Reuters, with helping the hacker group Anonymous attack the Tribune Co., Keys’ former employer. According to a DOJ press release, Keys worked as a web producer at a Tribune-owned TV station until the company let him go in October 2010 during its bankruptcy proceedings. Two months later, Keys provided Anonymous with login information to one of Tribune’s servers, and at least one Anonymous member used the information to alter a news story on the Tribune-owned Los Angeles Times’ website (see the Los Angeles Times for a screenshot of the alterations).
Keys is charged with one count each of conspiracy to transmit information to damage a protected computer, transmitting information to damage a protected computer and attempted transmission of information to damage a protected computer. He faces up to 25 years in prison.
Read the Wall Street Journal for more information.
For more hacking- and cybersecurity-related coverage from InsideCounsel, read:
EU regulators warn of mobile app privacy concerns
Technology: 4 practical tips for improving critical infrastructure cybersecurity
Obama signs executive order on cybersecurity
Apple employees’ computers attacked by hackers
Prepare for the coming of the privacy police
More than half of in-house counsel say data security is their top legal concern
IP: Why companies need clear policies against giving computer access to non-employees
