In comedy of errors, men accused of wiping gov databases turned to an AI tool
In a bizarre turn of events, two brothers with a history of cybercrime have found themselves in hot water once again, this time for a reckless attempt to destroy government records just moments after being terminated from their contractor positions. Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter, both 34 years old and based in Alexandria, Virginia, were previously convicted a decade ago for hacking into U.S. State Department systems. Their latest escapade, which unfolded on February 18, highlights a shocking lack of foresight as they attempted to erase critical data from government databases, showcasing both their audacity and the potential vulnerabilities in government cybersecurity protocols.
According to the Department of Justice, the brothers were employed by a contractor providing software and services to 45 U.S. government agencies. Following their dismissal at approximately 4:55 PM, they wasted no time in attempting to access their former employer’s systems. Just five minutes later, one brother allegedly managed to access a government agency’s database, issuing commands that not only blocked other users from making changes but also initiated the deletion of 96 databases. These databases reportedly contained sensitive information, including investigative files and records pertinent to the Freedom of Information Act. This reckless behavior, characterized by a frantic and poorly planned response to their firing, raises serious concerns about the security measures in place for government contractors and the potential for insider threats.
The Akhter brothers’ actions serve as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with having access to sensitive government information, especially in the hands of individuals with a known history of hacking. Their attempt to use technology to cover up their crimes was not only ill-conceived but also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by federal agencies in safeguarding critical data from both external threats and internal malfeasance. As the case unfolds, it underscores the need for stringent security protocols and monitoring of contractor activities, particularly in the wake of terminations, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Two sibling contractors convicted a decade ago for hacking into US State Department systems have once again been charged, this time for a comically hamfisted attempt to steal and destroy government records just minutes after being fired from their contractor jobs.
The Department of Justice on Thursday
said
that Muneeb Akhter and Sohaib Akhter, both 34, of Alexandria, Virginia, deleted databases and documents maintained and belonging to three government agencies. The brothers were federal contractors working for an undisclosed company in Washington, DC, that provides software and services to 45 US agencies. Prosecutors said the men coordinated the crimes and began carrying them out just minutes after being fired.
Using AI to cover up an alleged crime—what could go wrong?
On February 18 at roughly 4:55 pm, the men were fired from the company, according to an
indictment
unsealed on Thursday. Five minutes later, they allegedly began trying to access their employer’s system and access federal government databases. By then, access to one of the brothers’ accounts had already been terminated. The other brother, however, allegedly accessed a government agency’s database stored on the employer’s server and issued commands to prevent other users from connecting or making changes to the database. Then, prosecutors said, he issued a command to delete 96 databases, many of which contained sensitive investigative files and records related to Freedom of Information Act matters.
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