Hackers often use their skill to collect data for personal use or make a profit. Some just do it for fun of seeing others in agony. However, there's a new breed of hackers who do it in the name of terrorism, and one such hacker will face the full brunt of the law.
According to a new report, Kosovo hacker Ardit Ferizi has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for hacking a U.S. company to collect more than 1,300 data on military and government personnel. His intentions were to provide the information to the Islamic State in a bid to aid the group in its fight against the United States and its allies.
'A Combination of Terrorism And Hacking'
"This case represents the first time we have seen the very real and dangerous national security cyber threat that results from the combination of terrorism and hacking," said John Carlin, assistant attorney general for national security. "This was a wake-up call not only to those of us in law enforcement, but also to those in private industry. This successful prosecution also sends a message to those around the world that, if you provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations and assist them with their deadly attack planning, you will have nowhere to hide."
This is the first time the U.S. has convicted a hacker based on terrorism charges, and it likely won't be the last if the trend continues.
Ferizi pleaded guilty to all charges on June 15, about eight months after he was arrested by Malaysian police on behalf of the U.S.
The culprit could have been sentenced to more than 20 years. In truth, it could have been 35 years, which is the maximum. No matter the case, however, American authorities view this as a warning to anyone who plans on supporting I.S. by hacking into U.S. government agencies.
No More Safe Zones Against Hackers?
With hacking becoming the newest tactic of terror groups in the digital battlefield, it should be a point of concern for many states, considering how technology, especially the internet, is being used to advance the agenda of such groups.
And because computer technology is finding its way in almost every aspect of our lives, hackers could be inching closer and closer into our safe zones: our homes, offices, schools and hospitals.
Today, we are witnessing the rise of the self-driving car, which is highly reliant on computer technology. Even our refrigerators are now being equipped with advanced software in the age of the Internet of Things. Not to mention, a single smart home device, such as the Amazon Echo, could soon control our homes.
These objects, as harmless as they seem at first, could provide an entry point for hackers to spread the menace of their ideology.
Photo: Johan Viirok | Flickr
