An Adelaide hacker infected over 2,000 computers in Australia and overseas with a program designed to capture banking details, a court has heard.
Anthony Scott Harrison, 20, learned hacking and programming skills online and launched his attack in 2009. He was caught when suspicious web activity was detected and tracked by federal police. Harrison also modified and sold software, allowing others to infect computers. His actions stemmed from his obsession with the world of cyber fantasy.
Harrison pleaded guilty to seven charges, including four counts of modifying computer data to cause harm. Defense counsel John Edwards told the South Australian District Court that from the age of 14, Harrison had become obsessed with online computer games and was "immersed in the world of cyber fantasy." At one point, he played online for up to 15 hours a day, often using a simulated hacking game called Slave Hack.
Mr. Edwards explained that Harrison became quite skilled at computer programming and had the capacity to commit serious offenses. However, he argued that there should be a clear distinction between what Harrison could have done and what he actually did. Harrison only took small amounts of money, and his actions were mostly experimental or driven by youthful curiosity, the court was told. "He never intended to create a large-scale criminal enterprise," Mr. Edwards said. He requested Judge Paul Rice to impose a suspended jail sentence and mentioned that Harrison was interested in becoming an internet security consultant.
Prosecutor Tracey Nelson stated that 2,370 computers had been infected, and the impact of Harrison's actions had the potential to be felt globally. "Any of us could become a victim of this type of offense very, very easily," she said. Harrison will be sentenced on January 13. The judge was informed that there had been no similar cases across Australia to guide him regarding the appropriate penalty.
