Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's deputy web editor.
E-mail: ccournoyer@governing.comTwitter: @governing
State News
FBI Busts Six 'Anonymous' Hackers
The computer hacker group Anonymous that’s compromised dozens of state and local government websites is no longer true to its name.
After one of its members secretly conspired with the FBI, five people have been arrested and charged with a number of cybercrimes, Politico reports.
Hector Xavier Monsegur, 28, began working with the FBI in August and pled guilty to 12 counts of computer hacking-related charges. He faces a maximum sentence of 124 years in prison. Monsegur, known as "Sabu" online, coordinated the cyberattacks from his home in New York with the five other members. The other members facing charges range from 19 to 29 years of age and are based in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, according to an FBI statement.
Anonymous shut down and/or stole sensitive data from nearly 100 state and local government websites, most recently Newark, New Jersey’s. Last summer, it breached nearly 70 law enforcement websites -- the agencies most worried about leaking information. Some of the members are also part of 'LulzSec' and 'AntiSec' -- two groups formed by members of Anonymous.
“This is devastating to the organization,” an FBI official reportedly told Fox News. “We’re chopping off the head of LulzSec.”
Last week, Governing staffers attended the annual AFCEA Homeland Security Conference where the wireless connection had been disabled due to a possible threat from Anonymous.
The group has also hacked federal government agencies, including the FBI, and a number of private companies, including Sony Picture Entertainment and Fox Broadcasting Co.
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe for updates.
Twitter: @governing
- Most Viewed
- Comments
-
- 3 New Gun Laws on the Books in Colorado
"@ML27 - what a visionary you are. You can seen into the future that since the laws won't..." - 13 States Seek Contraceptive Exemption to Obamacare
"Bob – But compensation IS compensation; there is no other way to define it. It..." - Can States Require Proof of Citizenship to Vote? Supreme Court to Decide
"Absolutely? You are either James Madison himself or some sort of sage. Can I get the..." - Study: Voter ID Laws Hurt Young Minorities
"Of course, both Paladin and Marv are right. As long as people can easily obtain ID, you..." - 'Anti-Bloomberg Bill' in Mississippi Bars Local Restrictions on Food and Drink
"@Liberty76 - you are so right my man. I am all for letting people do what they want as..."
- 3 New Gun Laws on the Books in Colorado
Training Opportunities
Outsmarting the Social Services Fraudster- Learn how IBM InfoSphere Identity Insight helps social services organizations reduce time and labor for caseload management, comply with new regulations fast and cost-efficiently and identify fraudulent behavior rapidly to stop it before it occurs.
- A Safer Public Through Advanced Analytics
- Accelerating Economic Growth and Vitality
GOVERNING Data
- Gay Marriage States Map
- Map shows state laws legalizing or prohibiting gay marriage and civil unions.
- 2012 Population Estimates for Metro Areas
- Public Transit Agency Ridership Statistics
- Average Tax Refund by State
- Which Services Are Citizens Most, Least Satisfied With?
- 2013 State of the State Speeches Word Cloud
Events & Webinars
- It’s A Paperless, Paperless World..... Thinking Outside the Box to Gain Efficiencies through Prepaid Cards
- April 23, 2013
- Public sector organizations are under intense scrutiny to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible and with maximum transparency. An important consideration is the way in which payments are made and managed. Prepaid cards can offer flexibility, security and accountability to governments as a method of dispersing benefits, healthcare and social care payments, child benefits and housing benefits to their constituents.
- GOVERNING - Michigan Leadership Forum 2013
- May 1, 2013
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
Flickr
RSS
© 2011 e.Republic, Inc. All Rights reserved. |