Teenage hacker disrupts Mediterranean shipping routes
A 15-year-old hacker from Italy caused a disturbance in the Mediterranean Sea by altering tanker routes by hacking into navigation systems. This is not his first cybercrime—he previously manipulated school grades. The case has gone to juvenile court, and experts are calling for better security measures.
Alarming deviations in maritime navigation systems in the Mediterranean Sea prompted initial suspicions of route manipulation of merchant ships.
The Italian prosecutor's office initiated an investigation into navigation safety, involving cybersecurity specialists. An analysis pointed to breaches in maritime systems, and the investigation quickly identified the culprit—a 15-year-old Italian resident.
The young hacker's cybercrime adventures began with attempts to change his own school grades. The teenager hacked into the Ministry of Education and Merit systems, allowing him to alter his results and avoid resits. Success in this area apparently encouraged him to take further action, as he soon decided to try his hand at more advanced maritime navigation systems.
Authorities secured the computer and pressed charges
After apprehending the teenager, Italian authorities secured his computer and brought the case to the Juvenile Court in Bologna. Italian media reported that the boy's parents were unaware of his unusual activities.
Cybersecurity experts point out that the case of the Italian hacker should serve as a warning to organisations and companies to pay more attention to securing their systems.
