Students suspected of hacking into computer system
By: PHILIP K. IRELAND - Staff Writer | ∞
CARLSBAD ---- At least five students are suspected of breaking into a computer system last week that houses student records in the San Dieguito Union High School District, a source within the district said Tuesday.
Four students at La Costa Canyon High School and one student from Torrey Pines High are suspected of accessing the district's system, changing grades and downloading teacher tests, said a source familiar with the investigation who spoke to the North County Times on condition of anonymity.
"They had access to the whole district," the source said. "Everything."
At least one student may have sold the tests to other students, the source said.
Superintendent Peggy Lynch rejected the claim that student hackers gained access to the entire district that maintains student, parent and employee records.
"We don't know that it was the whole network, and I don't believe that's true," Lynch said in a interview Tuesday. "I think everything I know at the moment is that no personal information was compromised ---- names, addresses, phone numbers" and Social Security numbers.
Mark Kelly, a detective with the sheriff's Computer and Technology Crime High Tech Response Team leading the investigation, confirmed Monday that he has identified suspects. Kelly said he is investigating the crimes under section 502 of the California Penal Code, which deals with computer crimes such as accessing a system without permission, and knowingly copying, deleting, altering or destroying data. The crimes carry fines of up to $10,000 and three years in jail.
Kelly said he was working overtime on the case, but declined to provide additional details or confirm information, saying that he didn't want to jeopardize the investigation.
In a memorandum sent to school district staff at La Costa Canyon and Torrey Pines high schools, Lynch confirmed the attack.
"It is apparent that there has been a breach of our network security by students," she wrote in the memo, obtained Tuesday by the North County Times. "We know that at least one teacher's test (has) been compromised and some student grades may have been altered."
The memo instructed teachers to compare paper copies of grades with electronic versions of the same grades as soon as possible. The memo also informed staff that they would be required to change their passwords.
"We are taking this very seriously," Lynch wrote. "Law enforcement is involved. The Technology Department is actively taking steps to prevent this type of breach in the future."
La Costa Canyon Principal Amy Carlin said Monday that she could not confirm details of the computer breach.
Contact staff writer Philip K. Ireland at (760) 901-4043 or pireland@nctimes.com.
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NETGUYTR wrote on Dec 22, 2005 6:34 PM:a real fun story. good boys of future !!!!!!!!!!! :)
Sheila wrote on Jan 3, 2006 11:38 AM:This is a very troubling situation. First of all, as a parent, my heart goes out to the parents of these students who have devoted themselves to raising their children and must be devastated to learn how far they have strayed from their values. Secondly, I think the school district needs to conduct a THOROUGH examination, going back over the last 2-3 years (however long these students have been at the school) to see how many grades were changed. I'm not just concerned that unworthy students had their grades raised, but that they also had the ability to LOWER the grades of honest students. Finally, I think the district needs to hold a public meeting for the parents to tell them honestly how this breach happened, how many files were altered, how altered files will be corrected, and how the system will change to prevent such an attack on the integrity of the school from happening in the future. I would assume the students will be expelled, and I think they should be. It would be better to let them experience the consequences of their actions now than to wait until they're over 18 and subject to facing them as legal adults. I also wonder if some of their incentive was to improve their chances at college acceptance. I think these students have compromised their futures, and maybe a couple of years at a community college will help them realize the opportunities they've squandered.
Darla wrote on Jan 3, 2006 7:01 PM:Thank you Sheila. I could not have said it better myself. The integrity of many students has been comprimised and aggressive punishment must prevail. Looking forward to a comment from both Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon principals addressed to the students, parents and public. This is the minimum expectation from a repsectful community.
Brand1 wrote on Jan 3, 2006 10:33 PM:HAHAHA props to homie for hacking the sys
marge wrote on Jan 6, 2006 5:29 PM:to Sheila: What is wrong with spending time in a community college? You make it sound like jail time. Come on, climb down from your high horse...or you may fall off backwards and land on some unmentionable part of your anatomy....M.
Contractjack wrote on Jan 18, 2006 5:43 PM:Man that was hectic man you were sik guys man pay the skewl back yea man go comp power YEAH GO U HOMIE "G"z YEAH
baubles wrote on Jan 22, 2006 10:53 PM:props to the new generation of kids that are smarter than adults! ps can you guys bring up my grades ...
jim wrote on Feb 10, 2006 11:17 AM:There is a rumour that these kids are the children of wealthy parents who contribute heavily to the high school. I sure hope that these kids are treated no differently than any other student, if they're guilty of committing federal offenses. If a kid gets expelled from school for being drunk at a school prom, it would be a shame if theses kids escape serious consequences due to their parents financial status. That would be a terrible message to give to the rest of the students at La Costa Canyon.
David wrote on Mar 12, 2006 3:07 PM:To Sheila: Yeah, I must agree that a community college isn't as bad as you think it is. You really are on your own little high horse in you own little world, with your pompous assumptions. And I say... STFU n00bl3t. These kids' actions are commendable, and it's the school's fault by not setting up a stronger firewall system. Really, the kids are getting smarter.
john wrote on Jun 26, 2006 8:40 AM:very good super
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