PixelatedLeaf
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Microsoft's computer network was hacked repeatedly between 2011 and 2013, which culminated in the perpetrators using stolen credentials to enter Microsoft's headquarters and walking away with Xbox development kits. The same group was responsible in 2012 for leaking the infamous Xbox 720 9-24 Checkpoint document.
Choice excerpts from the 65 page indictment:
And arguably the most jaw dropping revelation of all:
The group was known as "Xbox Underground" and, such was their thirst for next-gen Xbox information, they proceeded to hack other developers, including Electronic Arts, Epic, Activision and Valve.
The list of seized property is eye popping.
$214,306.70 seized from PNC bank account
$91,011.79 seized from PayPal account
$56,666.42 seized from PayPal account
$42,571.87 seized from PayPal account
$111,279.89 seized from Harris bank account
$6,951,48 seized from JP Morgan bank account
$44,043.24 seized from TD bank account
$55,969,31 seized from Wells Fargo bank account
David Pokora was sentenced May 23 to 18 months in US federal prison. Austin Alcala will be sentenced on July 29. Nathan Leroux and Sanadodeh Nesheiwat await sentencing.
Choice excerpts from the 65 page indictment:
Beginning in or about January 2011, Microsoft was the victim of incidents of unauthorized access to its computer networks, including GDNP's protected computer network, which resulted in the theft of log-in credentials, trade secrets and intellectual property relating to its Xbox gaming system. (pg.4)
It was further part of the conspiracy that Leroux, Nesheiwat, Pokora, Alcala and [redacted] would hack into the victims' networks using various techniques, including, among others, SQL Injection Attacks, to steal, among other things, network log-in credentials, personal data, authentication keys, card data, confidential and propriety corporate information, trade secrets, copyrighted works, and works being prepared for commercial distribution... (pg.10)
In or about August 2012, Leroux and his co-conspirators gained unauthorized access to Microsoft's computer networks, from which they downloaded trade secrets and copyrighted works owned by Microsoft. Leroux used Microsoft's trade secrets, including internal design and technical specifications and pre-release operating system software code, to build a counterfeit, next-generation Microsoft Xbox gaming console, which he and other co-conspirators sold online. (pg.16)
During the August 12 and 13, 2013 intrusion in Microsoft's GDNP computer network, Alcala displayed to co-conspirators and Person A, in Delaware, files relating to "Xbox One" that the group had stolen from Microsoft's computer network during prior intrusions, including files named "GDN.txt," "Durango instructions.png," and "P4 Epic.txt". Alcala also displayed a folder named "Durango/Latest," which contained a file named "Xbox One Roadmap." (pg.30)
And arguably the most jaw dropping revelation of all:
In or about September 2013, Alcala and Pokora brokered a physical theft, committed by A.S. and E.A., of multiple Xbox Development Kits (XDKs) from a secure building on Microsoft's Redmond, Washington campus. Using stolen access credentials to a Microsoft building, A.S. and E.A. entered the building and stole three non-public versions of the Xbox One console... (pg.31)
The group was known as "Xbox Underground" and, such was their thirst for next-gen Xbox information, they proceeded to hack other developers, including Electronic Arts, Epic, Activision and Valve.
The list of seized property is eye popping.
$214,306.70 seized from PNC bank account
$91,011.79 seized from PayPal account
$56,666.42 seized from PayPal account
$42,571.87 seized from PayPal account
$111,279.89 seized from Harris bank account
$6,951,48 seized from JP Morgan bank account
$44,043.24 seized from TD bank account
$55,969,31 seized from Wells Fargo bank account
David Pokora was sentenced May 23 to 18 months in US federal prison. Austin Alcala will be sentenced on July 29. Nathan Leroux and Sanadodeh Nesheiwat await sentencing.