Teen Hacker’s Ransom Rampage: Massachusetts Student Faces Serious Charges
Matthew D. Lane, a Massachusetts student, hacked two US companies, including PowerSchool, and extorted them for ransom. Charged with demanding $200,000 from a telecom company and $2.85 million from PowerSchool, Lane’s digital mischief might cost him a fortune in fines and some quality time behind bars.
Hot Take:
Ah, college life – where the only thing more terrifying than student loan debt is a 19-year-old hacker with a penchant for extortion. Clearly, this Massachusetts student didn’t get the memo that hacking major companies and demanding Bitcoin is not part of the college curriculum. Perhaps next time he can major in “Not Getting Caught.”
Key Points:
- A 19-year-old Massachusetts student, Matthew D. Lane, pleaded guilty to hacking and extortion.
- Lane extorted a telecommunications company for $200,000 after stealing confidential customer data.
- He also allegedly hacked a company, possibly PowerSchool, stealing personal information of students and teachers.
- Lane demanded $2.85 million in Bitcoin to not leak over 70 million individuals’ data.
- While PowerSchool reportedly paid a ransom, the Toronto School Board faced follow-up threats.
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