Apple Says No Personal Data Was Compromised in Australian Teenager Hacking Incident

[MacRumors]

In a statement, Apple has confirmed that no personal data was compromised by a 16-year-old student from Melbourne, Australia who admitted to hacking into Apple's internal servers on multiple occasions over one year.

The Guardian:

At Apple, we vigilantly protect our networks and have dedicated teams of information security professionals that work to detect and respond to threats.

In this case, our teams discovered the unauthorized access, contained it, and reported the incident to law enforcement. We regard the data security of our users as one of our greatest responsibilities and want to assure our customers that at no point during this incident was their personal data compromised.

Australian publication The Age reported that the teen downloaded some 90GB of confidential files, and accessed customer accounts, storing information in a folder on his computer named "hacky hack hack." It's unclear exactly what he downloaded during the series of network intrusions.

The student, who cannot be publicly named due to his age and notoriety in the hacking community, reportedly pleaded guilty to his actions in an Australian Children's Court this week, with sentencing deferred until next month. His lawyer later told police that the teen "dreamed of" working for Apple.

The teen reportedly had a method of accessing Apple's servers that "worked flawlessly" on multiple occasions--until he was caught.

The international investigation began when Apple detected the unauthorized access, contained it, and alerted the FBI. The allegations were passed on to the Australian Federal Police, which executed a search warrant on the teen's home last year, and found the software that had enabled the hacking on his laptop.

Article Link: Apple Says No Personal Data Was Compromised in Australian Teenager Hacking Incident

 

[M.PaulCezanne]

Just Apple security’s pride was compromised. Ya know, because they were hacked by a child.

 

[XzavierMonroe]

How can someone Still hack Apple with their "encrypted" software.Makes you wonder how vulnerable Our data is to the hands of anyone that can hack...how can a Trillion $$ Dollar company be so exposed.

 

[Heineken]

So what was in those 90 GB?

 

[nfl46]

Give the child a job for Apple when he gets out of jail, lol.

 

[RightMACatU]

The only thing compromised is the kid's future

 

[iLoveDeveloping]

Sounds like this kid is a bit of genius, maybe he should be given a job at Apple instead of a prison sentence. Just saying

 

[TroyBoy30]

sure, cause they say so

 

[RightMACatU]

Sounds like this kid is a bit of genius, maybe he should be given a job at Apple instead of a prison sentence. Just saying

Sure! and people who steal cars and houses should be hired by insurance companies.

 

[alpi123]

Just Apple security’s pride was compromised. Ya know, because they were hacked by a child.

How many kids do you know that can hack Apple? This kid, in general, is a genius. And Apple themselves said no data was compromised, and they once again proved that they can catch anyone who tries to dig into their security.

 

[I7guy]

Sounds like this kid is a bit of genius, maybe he should be given a job at Apple instead of a prison sentence. Just saying

Maybe immigrate to the us and work for the nsa.

 

[alpi123]

People be telling "Give this kid a job at Apple" - no, this isn't Google, or Facebook or whatever. Apple is very strict and won't risk employing this kid just because he has great hacking abilities. If he was an ethical hacker, he could have maybe contacted Apple telling them about how he dug into their security and not try to take away the users' data.

 

[Wanted797]

Sounds like this kid is a bit of genius, maybe he should be given a job at Apple instead of a prison sentence. Just saying

Sort of a bad incentive to set.

 

[adamdport]

How many kids do you know that can hack Apple? This kid, in general, is a genius. And Apple themselves said no data was compromised, and they once again proved that they can catch anyone who tries to dig into their security.

I wonder if Apple intentionally left something "exposed" as a honey pot for attempted attacks. Just monitor that area and arrest them before they can continue. Kinda' like leaving an alarmed briefcase full of cash in front of the safe, you know?

 

[iapplelove]

The only thing compromised is the kid's future

He’s so young. He will probably end up making more money than anyone I know one day.

 

[doctor-don]

90 GB is a LOT of data.

 

[Glideslope]

So what was in those 90 GB?

iCloud Porn.

 

[Jimmdean]

Isn't this a failed hack?

 

[ipponrg]

Sort of a bad incentive to set.

From a public POV, I’d agree but behind the scenes I’d definitely look into it. Many tech companies will employ caught hackers to prevent future hacks. You can’t really stop hacks unless you have hacked or understand the process.

The issue with Apple’s bug bounties is that they don’t always pay

 

[Mtmspa]

Time to make an example of these punks.

 

[Fidgetyrat]

A folder named "Hacky hack hack" This kid has real gumption

 

[1000 others]

The only thing compromised is the kid's future

He'll probably have his own reality show by tomorrow and be worth more than you, me, and all MacRumors members combined.

 

[Mr. Heckles]

Isn't this a failed hack?

He got 90GB of files from Apple, how is that a failed hack?

 

[imran5720]

hacky hack hack ha ha ha

 

[supercoolmanchu]

Yep. I totally called this yesterday in the original thread comments.

Let this be a lesson to you foolish humans about press hyperbole.
[doublepost=1534514522][/doublepost]

90 GB is a LOT of data.

He got 90GB of files from Apple, how is that a failed hack?

90GB of what?

Old software installer images?
Employee bathroom procedures?

Just because someone robs a bank, doesn’t mean they actually got any money. One of the more common items stolen from banks are ballpoint pens.

But hyperbole gunna hype.

 

[rweed]

According to this article: https://bgr.com/2018/08/16/apple-servers-hacked-teen-sensitive-data-year/

Apple was able to access his computer's serial number. How is this possible?