UT student faces federal charges in hacking computer system Associated Press AUSTIN -- Federal charges were filed today against a 20-year-old University of Texas at Austin student for hacking into a university system and stealing Social Security numbers and other personal information from more than 55,000 students, faculty and staff members. Christopher Andrew Phillips, a computer science major, was charged with unlawful access to a protected computer and unlawful use of a means of identification. Phillips told authorities that he wrote and executed a computer program designed to access a university Web site, Texclass, that tracks employees that attend training classes, according to a criminal complaint. By gaining access to Texclass, Phillips was able access a broader range of information, including names and Social Security numbers from a UT database of personal data. Phillips turned himself in to federal officials this morning and was released on personal recognizance, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Devlin. U.S. Magistrate Stephen Capelle ordered Phillips not use a computer without first seeking permission from officials. Phillips told officials he had no intention of using the information to harm anyone, according to the complaint filed by a Secret Service agent who searched Phillips' residences in Houston and Austin. Secret Service agents seized several computers, one of which contained downloaded names, Social Security numbers and the program used to access the database. A grand jury has began to examine the case, Devlin said. If convicted, Phillips could face a maximum of 8 years in prison and a maximum fine $500,000 in restitution. Gene Baltusknis, a family friend who attended the court appearance, called Phillips a "fine young man," who has never before been in trouble with the law. I used his name to find his phone number, address, and e-mail address on the UT web directory.
drag nabit, I just saw that and you beat me to it. Good job, I am glad they caught him and hope they soon confirm he did not actually use or give away the information.
Name Christopher A Phillips Christopher Phillips Title Junior, undeclared/Emerging Scholars College/Department College of Natural Sciences E-Mail mispeld@mail.utexas.edu Home Phone +1 512-391-1940 Home Address 2308 Rio Grande St Apt 307 Austin, TX 78705-5114-82
Isn't there a "mispeld" over in HornFans? I wonder if it's the same guy? You should post that in HornFans ! ! !
You sure this is the right guy? The article says he is a Computer science major, and this says undeclared.
The directory is updated every semester so if the guy declared after December (after Spring registration), his major will not show until Fall registration. Also that is if the guy has declared. He can go around calling himself CS if he wants.
