Chrysler hacker convicted

The threat within. A former computer contractor who did work for Daimler Chrysler pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to unlawful computer intrusion into the company’s wireless parts distribution network in 2003 and causing damage to the system. The Oakland Press’s Joseph Szczensy reports that on 23 October 2003, William Johns entered the Daimler Chrysler Assembly plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan and accessed a computer kiosk located in the visitor’s lobby. Based on his familiarity with Daimler Chrysler’s computer system, which he gained while working for Intermec, a computer company working with Daimler Chrysler, Johns was able to enter commands from this computer terminal that caused files and passwords to be deleted from wireless devices located in distribution facilities in Atlanta, Portland, Oregon, and Denver. As a result of the damage to these devices, it was necessary to remove and repair them, causing each facility to shut-down for approximately 7.5 hours, and resulting in over $25,000 in damages to Daimler Chrysler.

United States attorney Stephen Murphy said, “Keeping our corporate networks secure from unauthorized intrusions is just as crucial as protecting our homes from invasion or our property from theft. I commend the FBI, and the internal investigation staff at Daimler Chrysler, for their excellent investigative work, which lead to this guilty plea.”

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Johns faces up to twelve months imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Johns will also be required to make full restitution to Daimler Chrysler in the amount of $29,916 to pay for the costs associated with repairing the consequences of the damage.