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A computer hacker pleaded guilty to helping write malicious code that let him breach AT&T Inc servers and steal personal data belonging to 120,000 Apple Inc iPad subscribers, U.S. prosecutors said.
Daniel Spitler, 26, admitted to one count of conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to computers and one count of identity theft at a Thursday hearing before U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton in Newark, New Jersey federal court.
Spitler could face a 12- to 18-month prison term under federal sentencing guidelines, which a judge need not follow. The San Francisco resident is free on bail, and his sentencing is scheduled for September 28.
Prosecutors in January accused Spitler and codefendant Andrew Auernheimer, 25, of using an "account slurper" to conduct a "brute force" attack over five days last June to extract data about iPad users who used the Internet through AT&T's network.
According to prosecutors, Spitler admitted to being a member of ****** Security, a group of "self-professed Internet 'trolls'" who try to disrupt online content and services.
They said Auernheimer was also affiliated with ******, and that creators of the account slurper leaked stolen email addresses and other data to the website Gawker.
Possible victims of the hacking included public figures such as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, anchor Diane Sawyer of Walt Disney Co's ABC News, movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, prosecutors said.
Daniel Spitler, 26, admitted to one count of conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to computers and one count of identity theft at a Thursday hearing before U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton in Newark, New Jersey federal court.
Spitler could face a 12- to 18-month prison term under federal sentencing guidelines, which a judge need not follow. The San Francisco resident is free on bail, and his sentencing is scheduled for September 28.
Prosecutors in January accused Spitler and codefendant Andrew Auernheimer, 25, of using an "account slurper" to conduct a "brute force" attack over five days last June to extract data about iPad users who used the Internet through AT&T's network.
According to prosecutors, Spitler admitted to being a member of ****** Security, a group of "self-professed Internet 'trolls'" who try to disrupt online content and services.
They said Auernheimer was also affiliated with ******, and that creators of the account slurper leaked stolen email addresses and other data to the website Gawker.
Possible victims of the hacking included public figures such as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, anchor Diane Sawyer of Walt Disney Co's ABC News, movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, prosecutors said.