PERSONAL BACKGROUND
- NAME: Jonathan Joseph James
- BORN: December 12, 1983
- DIED: May 18, 200
What did he do?
Hacked into National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) computers, stealing software worth approximately $1.7 million. NASA was forced to shut down its computer systems, racking up a $41,000 cost. James explained that he downloaded the code to supplement his studies on C programming but said that the code was crappy and certainly not worth $1.7 million.
He penetrated Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville Alabama. He downloaded the proprietary environmental control software for the International Space Station. He was sentenced to 6 months of house arrest.
He installed a backdoor into a Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) server. The backdoor he created enabled him to view sensitive emails and capture employee usernames and passwords.
How did he become famous?
Jonathan James became famous because he not only targeted some of the most major government agencies but also for being the first juvenile hacker to be sentenced to prison, caught at age 15 and prosecuted at 16.
Black Hat Hacker
James was sent to juvenile prison at the age of 16 for installing backdoors on DoD(US dept. of defense) computers and stealing highly sensitive information regarding national security. James also cracked into NASA computers, stealing software worth approximately $1.7 million that included software critical to the operation of the ISS(international space station). His actions cost the space program $41,000 in damages to its computer systems.
Jonathan Joseph James (December 12, 1983-May 18, 2008)
In 2007, department store chain TJX was the victim of a massive computer systems intrusion that compromised the personal and credit information of millions of customers. The same ring of hackers also committed intrusions on BJ’s Wholesale Club, Boston Market, Barnes & Noble, Sports Authority, Forever 21, DSW, OfficeMax, and Dave & Buster’s, and reportedly made a millionaire out of the group’s alleged ringleader, Albert Gonzalez. Though he denied having done anything, James—who was friends with some of the hackers involved—was investigated by the Secret Service, who raided James’, his brother’s, and his girlfriend’s houses. Although they apparently discovered no connection to the intrusion, they did discover a legally registered firearm, which they did not take, and notes indicating he had considered killing himself; James’ father would later say that his son had been prone to depression. The criminal complaint filed against the TJX hackers mention an additional, unnamed conspirator who was not indicted, who is identified only by the initials “J.J.”. In 2004, this co-conspirator assisted one of the hackers in stealing credit card numbers, account numbers, and encrypted PINs from an OfficeMax store via Wi-Fi. These numbers were later allegedly provided to Albert Gonzalez, for whom “J.J.” also opened a mail drop. James’ father believes “J.J.” to have been his son.
On May 18, 2008, Jonathan James was found dead in his shower with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His suicide was apparently motivated by the belief that he would be prosecuted for crimes he had not committed. “I honestly, honestly had nothing to do with TJX,” James wrote in his suicide note, “I have no faith in the ‘justice’ system. Perhaps my actions today, and this letter, will send a stronger message to the public. Either way, I have lost control over this situation, and this is my only way to regain control. I die free.”
