iCloud is Apple’s cloud service. Photo Pexel
Unauthorized access to third party accounts is becoming more and more common. Depending on the crime committed, more severe penalties may be envisaged. And this was proven by a cybercriminal in California who received 8 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy and computer fraud for disclosing “nudes” (photos of naked people).
Beginning in September 2014, Hao Kuo Chi, 41, of La Puente, California, began promoting himself online as a “icloudripper4you“, someone who can log into iCloud accounts and steal anything on their linked iCloud storage (” ripping “, in slang).
“This man ran a terror campaign from his computer, causing fear and distress to hundreds of victims,” said FBI agent David Walker, as reported by Bleeping Computer.
“The FBI is committed to protecting the American people by exposing these cybercriminals and bringing them to justice,” he added.
To compromise an account, Who used emails that would have allowed him to pretend to be an Apple customer service representative and to trick targets into having it delivered their Apple IDs and passwords, according to court documents.
After compromising an iCloud account, he searched for and stole nude photos and videos from the victims’ online storage space (referred to as “earnings”) and shared them with the conspirators who then posted them online.
Who also shared some of the compromising photos and videos on a now defunct revenge porn website (Anon-IB) without the consent of its victims and with the intent to “intimidate, harass or embarrass”.
iCloud, Apple’s service, in trouble
More than 500 compromised accounts. Manzana
Until captured, Who gained unauthorized access to iCloud accounts of hundreds of targets in the United States, including Arizona, California, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.
“Chi’s email accounts contained the iCloud credentials of approximately 4,700 victims. These reports also revealed that he had sent content robbed victims of conspirators on more than 300 occasions”Revealed the Justice Department.
It stored 3.5 terabytes of stolen content from over 500 victims in physical and cloud storage, with approximately 1 terabyte of cloud storage dedicated to stolen nude photos and videos.
“Who has persecuted hundreds of women across the country, endangering their safety and reputation,” said US prosecutor Roger Handberg.
“This ruling reflects the determination of the United States Attorney’s Office. hold cybercriminals accountable for their crimes.
Prison sentences vary from state to state in the United States. In this case, the Justice ruled that it would be 8 years, but there were even more serious sentences.
Meanwhile, cybercrime is on the rise and, through its different variants, is gaining ground around the world.
Source: Clarin
