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12/22/2024 02:07:45 pm

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Four Hackers Charged for Breaching Microsoft, Valve, and U.S. Military

Microsoft sign at its Redmond headquarters

(Photo : Wikimedia Commons)

Four hackers from an international hacking ring have been charged for infringing computer systems of all major video game companies and the U.S. military.

Those charged are Sanadodeh Nesheiwat, 28, of Washington, New Jersey; David Pokora, 22, of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; Nathan Leroux, 20, of Bowie, Maryland; and Austin Alcala, 18, of McCordsville, Indiana.

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Microsoft, Epic Games, Valve, and Zombie Studios were the companies affected by the hacking. Hackers allegedly stole software related to Xbox One, Xbox Live, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Gears of War 3 which are worth US$200 million, according to U.S. Department of Justice.

Purportedly, the hackers corrupted the server security then proceeded to access and download "unreleased software, software source code, trade secrets, copyrighted and pre-release works and other confidential and proprietary information".

The group used SQL injection and stolen usernames and passwords to breach into the companies network.

According to the hacker group, they also attacked the U.S. military and stole software related to military helicopter pilot training. They also said that they have an intention to sell the information they gained.

U.S. DoJ said that the hackers gained more than US$620,000 in cash and "other proceeds" related to the incident.

Hackers were charged with individual counts of "aggravated identity theft, unauthorized computer access, copyright infringement and wire fraud".

Both Nesheiwat and Pokora have pleaded guilty to charges of computer fraud and copyright infringement. The two hackers will be sentenced on January 13, 2015.

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