Adelaide Hacker Infects 2,370 Computers in Global Cyber Attack
Dec 02, 2010
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 program