3 Haddonfield students admit guilt in grade hacking
Three Haddonfield Memorial High School students pleaded guilty Thursday to charges connected to hacking into their school's computer system and changing grades, authorities said.
Three Haddonfield Memorial High School students pleaded guilty Thursday to charges connected to hacking into their school's computer system and changing grades, authorities said.
A 14-year-old and 16-year-old student gained access to the system between January and March and changed some of their own and other students' grades. The two used keystroke recording software to retrieve passwords, which allowed them to enter secure areas of the district's computer system, according to Jason Laughlin, spokesman for the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.
The two were caught when a school staff member saw a third student, a 15-year-old, using similar software on a school computer in an attempt to get passwords for wireless networks, Laughlin said.
The 16-year-old and 14-year-old admitted accessing the school's computer system. The 16-year-old admitted changing grades. The 15-year-old admitted trying to gain access.
The teenagers' names were not released because of their ages.
Each pleaded guilty to charges of computer criminal activity. The three are expected to receive up to two years of probation and up to 100 hours of community service, Laughlin said.
In addition, the three will not be allowed to use a computer without supervision or to use social-networking sites, the prosecutor's office said. They cannot have inappropriate contact with each other and must write essays about improving their decision-making skills, authorities said.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 5.
