News Item #450

An audit of computers used by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet revealed that a group of "French hackers" broke into cabinet computers and were using them to host chat networks and distribute stolen software, videos, and music. Additionally, cabinet computers were used to access pornography 6000 times during a four day test period. Some of the pornography viewed included pornographic images of children.

At least one cabinet employee has resigned after being confronted with evidence he illegally accessed pornography, and several others are under criminal investigation.

More information: Associated Press: Hackers Break In To State's Computers (July 29, 2003) , Courier-Journal: Transportation Cabinet computers breached (July 30, 2003) , Associated Press: Patton: Hacking, porn visits were fault of Transportation Cabinet (July 30, 2003) , Lexington Herald Leader: Hackers hijack Transportation's computers (July 30, 2003) , Courier-Journal: Transportation officials say breach of agency computers has been halted (July 31, 2003) , Courier-Journal: More state computers used to watch porn (Aug. 2, 2003) , Courier-Journal: State transportation official will quit (Aug. 5, 2003) , Courier-Journal: Child porn accessed at Transportation Cabinet (Aug. 7, 2003) , WKYT: Auditors Say Kiddie Porn Found On State Computers (Aug. 7, 2003