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IT expert jailed for attacks on Oxford and Cambridge websites | IT expert jailed for attacks on Oxford and Cambridge websites |
(4 months later) | |
A man who used his IT expertise to launch cyber-attacks on the websites of Oxford and Cambridge universities has been jailed for two years. | A man who used his IT expertise to launch cyber-attacks on the websites of Oxford and Cambridge universities has been jailed for two years. |
Lewys Martin, 21, formerly of Dover Road, Walmer, Kent, also knocked Kent police's public-facing website offline for more than an hour during an attempt to bring it down. | Lewys Martin, 21, formerly of Dover Road, Walmer, Kent, also knocked Kent police's public-facing website offline for more than an hour during an attempt to bring it down. |
He pleaded guilty at Maidstone crown court last month to nine charges, including committing "unauthorised acts with intent to impair operation of or prevent/hinder access to a computer" and "unauthorised access to computer material", Kent police said. | He pleaded guilty at Maidstone crown court last month to nine charges, including committing "unauthorised acts with intent to impair operation of or prevent/hinder access to a computer" and "unauthorised access to computer material", Kent police said. |
Martin tried to disrupt the websites of Cambridge and Oxford universities by overwhelming them with requests for information between 29 January and 1 February. | Martin tried to disrupt the websites of Cambridge and Oxford universities by overwhelming them with requests for information between 29 January and 1 February. |
Police said the universities had "solid protection programmes" in place and, although no sensitive information was disclosed, their websites were offline for up to an hour and 20 minutes. | Police said the universities had "solid protection programmes" in place and, although no sensitive information was disclosed, their websites were offline for up to an hour and 20 minutes. |
Then on 1 and 2 February, Kent police suffered an attack at the hands of Martin, leading to its public-facing website also going offline temporarily for an hour and 17 minutes. | Then on 1 and 2 February, Kent police suffered an attack at the hands of Martin, leading to its public-facing website also going offline temporarily for an hour and 17 minutes. |
Martin was arrested and charged in November last year before admitting his crimes last month. Following sentencing on Thursday, detectives said cybercrime was a "nuisance" which could cause serious damage to organisations. | Martin was arrested and charged in November last year before admitting his crimes last month. Following sentencing on Thursday, detectives said cybercrime was a "nuisance" which could cause serious damage to organisations. |
It has been estimated that two weeks' worth of man hours were spent dealing with the cyber-attacks on the websites of Oxford and Cambridge universities. | It has been estimated that two weeks' worth of man hours were spent dealing with the cyber-attacks on the websites of Oxford and Cambridge universities. |
Detective Constable Nicky Holland-Day, of Kent police, said: "Cyber-attacks are a nuisance and cause aggravation as well as costs to countless private and public organisations up and down the country. | Detective Constable Nicky Holland-Day, of Kent police, said: "Cyber-attacks are a nuisance and cause aggravation as well as costs to countless private and public organisations up and down the country. |
"Most websites have systems in place to prevent them being compromised, and none of those attacked in these instances suffered any more than a temporary disruption. | "Most websites have systems in place to prevent them being compromised, and none of those attacked in these instances suffered any more than a temporary disruption. |
"However, those who try to carry out these attacks will be traced and brought before the courts, like Martin, to face the consequence of their actions." | "However, those who try to carry out these attacks will be traced and brought before the courts, like Martin, to face the consequence of their actions." |
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