For a teenager from Romagna, hacking computer systems had become fun. He was discovered for his unusual access to navigation systems.
A 15-year-old teenager, resident in Cesena, managed to change his school grades and divert the routes of some ships in the Mediterranean Sea, all from the comfort of his bedroom desk.
ِAِttacks by pro-Russian site
After the series of attacks by pro-Russian sites on some national computer systems, the latest hacking incident that has raised concerns especially in the maritime navigation sector is all Italian, according to investigations conducted by the Postal Police
As it turns out, the same goes for the young adolescent from Cesena, Italy, who started his hacking journey because he wanted to change his grades. So, he started to look for ways to break into systems belonging to the Ministry of Education and Merit. According to a Corriere di Bologna report, he only wanted to change some grades from 5 to 6 (F to E).
A student at a technical institute
The boy, a student at a technical institute, began exploring computer systems for fun, trying to access sites considered safe, including that of the Ministry of Education and Merit. His goal was to transform his grades from insufficient to sufficient, going from a 5 to a 6 and, in some cases, even a 7.
Access his school’s electronic register
Using his computer skills, he managed to access his school’s electronic register, modifying the results of the assessments without arousing suspicion. In a note, the Ministry of Education denied that there had been any violations in its information systems, clarifying that the unauthorized access concerned the school’s electronic register, managed by external companies.
Maritime navigation software
Not content, the 15-year-old from Cesena decided to try his hand at even more complex systems. He managed to manipulate maritime navigation software, diverting the routes of oil tankers and merchant ships transiting the Mediterranean.
The authorities were alerted by a complaint regarding unauthorized access to maritime navigation systems, which led to the discovery of his illicit activities.
Police investigation
The Postal Police investigation was in fact launched after suspicious access to maritime navigation software was reported. Cyber security experts were able to monitor and track access to the compromised systems, narrowing down the area from which the connections came to the Cesena area.
Investigators were able to trace the area from which the boy operated, leading to his identification and reporting to the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office in Bologna. The devices used for his activities were seized. The boy’s parents appear to have been unaware of his activities until the time of the report.
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