Man Arrested for Alleged Breach of Clinic Computers

Jesse William McGraw, a security sentinel, is charged of breaking into PCs at a health clinic in Dallas (USA) where he was employed. He sought to initiate a gigantic computer assault prior to or on July 4, 2009, as reported by Associated Press on July 1, 2009.

A 25-year-old McGraw was arrested on June 26, 2009 following his posting of screenshots that revealed his full control over the PCs managing systems for air-conditioning at the treatment center, prosecutors at a federal court stated.

McGraw also boldly posted movie clips that showed how he planted malicious software on the hospital PCs which he then added to a botnet under his control.

Meanwhile, an affidavit alleges that McGraw was leading the hacker group "Electronik Tribulation Army" and had been searching for other hackers who would assist him in taking control over PCs that he would use for attacking more PCs.

According to the affidavit, McGraw invaded the clinic's computers, which regulated ventilation and climate along with medications. He also hacked in the systems that held protected patient data for April-June 2009.

Clinic employees detected and repaired the hacked PCs, said the federal prosecutors. Tom Blair the administrator at the clinic said that no clues emerged that suggested that patient data was stolen, as reported by Associated Press on July 1, 2009.

The security researchers said it is, however, not clear what the attack targeted on and what were its details. The investigators are serious about the attack, as McGraw before being taken into custody, had officially informed that he would quit the job of security guard from July 3, 2009.

Commenting on how the hacker felt, 29-year-old Wesley McGrew (a researcher on network security at Mississippi State University) states these hackers have a queer mindset, which is all about fame and respect, with the 'respect' also being of their similarly peculiar peer, as reported by TheRegister on July 1, 2009.

In the meantime, the authorities further said that McGraw, while flaunting his hacking capabilities, posted films on YouTube showing him tainting PCs. He held a bogus FBI identity, a device to jam cell-phones, a tiny video camera as well as other instruments for hacking.

Related article: Man Sues and Wins against ISP for Spamming Mail

» SPAMfighter News - 7/7/2009