Hacker admits to AOL piracy

By Jeff Pelline
Staff Writer, CNET News

Share
- Digg
- Del.icio.us
- Reddit
- Facebook
- Google
- Newsvine
- Yahoo! Bookmarks
- Twitter
- Stumbleupon
E-mail
Print

Related Stories: Hacker vandalizes AOL site
November 25, 1996

A college student today pleaded guilty to illegally creating a program that allowed him to access America Online for free.

Known online as Happy Hardcore, 20-year-old Nicholas Ryan of Yale University entered his plea in federal district court in Alexandria, Virginia. The felony offense carries a fine of up to $250,000 and five years in prison. Sentencing is set for March.

Ryan used his illegal software, dubbed "AOL4Free" between June and December 1995. He also made it available to others. The investigation was carried out by the Secret Service and Justice Department's computer crime section.

AOL called the case a "legal milestone," representing the first successful computer fraud prosecution involving an online network.

"We hope this conviction sends a message to our members that AOL is dedicated to stopping hackers and their activities on the service and creating a safe online experience," said Tatiana Gau, the newly named vice president for Integrity Assurance at AOL.

Latest tech news headlines

IBM invests in business partners' training
Posted in News - Business Tech by Colin Barker

October 11, 2008 5:01 PM PDT
Navy charters kite-powered cargo ship to deliver equipment
Posted in Military Tech by Mark Rutherford

October 11, 2008 11:03 AM PDT
FCC report negates free Internet interference claims
Posted in News - Wireless by Michelle Meyers

October 11, 2008 10:41 AM PDT
See all headlines

RSS Feeds

Add headlines from CNET News to your homepage or feedreader.

More feeds available in our RSS feed index.

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right

News - Business Tech
IBM invests in business partners' training
A business development fund aims to encourage its largest partners to take up more skills training around data centers.
Gallery
Photos: Top 10 reviews of the week
Military Tech
Navy charters kite-powered cargo ship to deliver equipment
The use of this new breed of sailing ship could reduce fuel costs by 20 to 30 percent, according to the ship's owners.
Coop's Corner
Ellison's mantra: Spend, baby, spend
It may be hell out there, but Oracle's chief tells shareholders the company still intends to shop for more acquisitions.
Video
Sprint launches Xohm WiMax
News - Wireless
FCC report negates free Internet interference claims
Report from commission engineers boosts plan to auction spectrum for free wireless Internet by dismissing concerns it would interfere with existing providers' signals.
Video
Talking with Newt Gingrich on tech, bailout
News - Politics and Law
President signs broadband data collection bill
The Broadband Data Act encourages wider collection of information regarding nationwide access to broadband.
News - Cutting Edge
Academics sink teeth into Yahoo search service
Yahoo hopes its Build Your Own Search Service program has piqued the interest of academic researchers. Next stop: start-ups.
Gallery
Photos: Cracking open Apple's revamped iPod Nano
Crossfade
Crooked Fingers, 'Phony Revolutions': Free MP3 of the Day
Download a free MP3 of "Phony Revolutions" courtesy of CNET Download Music.
Green Tech
Urban wind power inspired by ancient Persia
The shape of urban wind power continues to morph. The latest twist come from Windation, a company with a design inspired by centuries-old "wind catchers."