Federal jury convicts Ryan Harris/TNiSO of wire fraud in connection with Internet service thefts
The Department of Justice said today a federal jury convicted a man on seven counts of wire fraud for offering a device that let his customers steal Internet services.
Through is company known as TCNiSO, the DoJ said Ryan Harris developed and distributed hardware and software tools that let his customers modify their cable modems so that they could disguise themselves as paying subscribers and obtain Internet service without paying.
More: FBI: Cyberattacks could shove aside terrorism as No. 1 threat to US
The DoJ said the products included a “packet sniffer,” which Harris , also known as DerEngel, dubbed “Coax Thief.” “Coax Thief” surreptitiously intercepted (or “sniffed”) Internet traffic so that the user obtained the media access control addresses and configuration files of surrounding modems. TCNISO and Harris also offered ongoing customer support, primarily through forums that it hosted on the TCNISO website, to assist customers in their cable modem hacking activities.
In his Indictment, which was brought in 2009, the DoJ also charged that TCNISO and Harris offered ongoing customer support, primarily through forums that it hosted on the TCNISO website, to assist customers in their cable modem hacking activities. According to the Indictment, one of the customers who used HARRIS and TCNISO’s products and assistance to steal Internet access was a male juvenile from Massachusetts, known by the online moniker “DShocker.” In November 2008, “Dshocker,” whose name was withheld to protect his identity, was charged in federal court with computer intrusion, interstate threats and wire fraud.
According to a Boston Globe story on his trial this week, Harris’s lawyer, federal public defender Charles McGinty told jurors during closing arguments Wednesday that his client did indeed tamper with modems to learn how Internet service providers were regulating them. But, Harris should not be held responsible in a criminal court for what others did with the information, McGinty argued. Prosecutors countered that Harris, who published a book titled “Hacking the Cable Modem: What Cable Companies Don’t Want You to Know,” built a lucrative business between 2003 and 2009 that helped people defraud cable companies, the Globe story states.
Each count carries a maximum prison term of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 23, 2012.
Follow Michael Cooney on Twitter: nwwlayer8 and on Facebook
Layer 8 Extra
Check out these other hot stories:
FBI: Cyberattacks could shove aside terrorism as No. 1 threat to US
NASA squandering technology commercialization opportunities
Stolen NASA laptop held Space Station control algorithms
Rapidly evolving low-cost mobile technology keeps the military up at night
25 alleged Anonymous members busted by Interpol
FTC: Identity theft still top consumer blight
US wants natural gas as major auto fuel option
Beyond Exabytes: Massive supercomputer needed for colossal space telescope
NASA: You know you’re a Geek if….
Space junk funk: The anniversary of the Cosmos/Iridium satellite crash
Wringing out $79B worth of IT: Feds debate system duplication
IRS unearths Dirty Dozen tax scams of 2012
US could save $4.4B by dumping paper $1 bill for coin
