by Bruce Tyson

Created on: June 17, 2010

A hacker believed to be part of the group that downloaded details of thousands of iPad user accounts from the AT&T Web site was arrested on drug charges resulting from a search of his residence. Believed to have been part of the iPad hacking investigation, the search turned up multiple illicit drugs that landed Andrew “Escher” Auernheimer in jail, charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor. There is no word as to whether authorities recovered anything from the home pertaining to the famous Apple iLeak hacking incident.

Long known for his drug use, the 24 year old Auernheimer is part of the Goatse hacking consortium allegedly responsible for the compromise of 100,000 or more iPad 3G accounts held by AT&T. Accounts accessed by the hackers included VIPs from virtually every government, military, corporate, and celebrity sector of American society.

Goatse hackers accidentally came across an improperly written script on an AT&T Web site that revealed account details based on Apple iPad 3G SIM card numbers. The group wrote a script to automate the process of uncovering the AT&T user data and emailed it to the tech Web site, Gawker, who apparently notified authorities. Apple and AT&T were apparently unaware of the security lapse until executives from the firms read about it in the media.

During an interview with Computerworld last week, Auernheimer said that the action by Goatse was an ethical act that alerted the world to the negligence of Apple and AT&T when it comes to the security of their account data. Apple and AT&T came under fire again this week when it was revealed that the AT&T site delivered complete access of random accounts to users who logged in to order the new Apple iPhone 4. According to Auernheimer, Goatse is a group of hackers that loves America and is working to keep Americans safe while online.

AT&T, trying to contain a public relations disaster from its mishandling of Apple mobile customer data, has alleged that the download of iPad 3G accounts was malicious and hopes to see the hackers responsible prosecuted under federal law.

Auernheimer is no stranger to law enforcement. A Fayetteville, Arkansas media outlet reports that his last arrest was in March on charges stemming from a parking incident wherein he allegedly gave police a false name. Auernheimer is expected to first appear in court for the drug charges on Friday.

Sources:

Keizer, Gregg. "iPad Hacker Arrested on Drug Charges After FBI Search." PC World. June 17, 2010. http://www.pcworld.com/article/199100/ipad_hacker_ar rested.html?tk=rss_news (accessed June 17, 2010).

Learn more about this author, Bruce Tyson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.