Latest Expert Witness News

Computer expert admits hacking Facebook

A computer expert from York has admitted hacking into the Facebook website, in one of the biggest such crimes ever to come before a British court.

Glenn Mangham, 26, a software development student, pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court yesterday to hacking into the social networking site between April and May this year. Mangham’s actions sparked a major security alert in the United States, where the authorities feared it was industrial espionage.

Mangham had previously shown web giant Yahoo! how it could improve security and wanted to do the same for Facebook, the court heard.

Although his actions caused no economic loss they concerned American authorities including the FBI.

Mangham classes himself an ethical hacker who has a high moral stance and said Yahoo! had thanked him for pointing out its vulnerabilities previously. The attack did not involve an attempt to compromise or access user data.

The trail continues.

back