Teen hacker disrupts tankers: Mediterranean chaos exposed
A 15-year-old hacker from Italy caused a disturbance in the Mediterranean Sea by altering the routes of tankers through hacks 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.
The first suspicions of route manipulation for merchant ships arose when alarming deviations in maritime navigation systems in the Mediterranean Sea were noticed.
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 adventure in cybercrime began with attempts to improve his school grades. The teenager hacked into the Ministry of Education and Merit systems, allowing him to change his results and avoid remedial exams. Success in this area 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 the teenager was apprehended, his computer was secured by Italian authorities, and the case was brought to the Juvenile Court in Bologna. Italian media report that the boy's parents had no idea about his unusual activity.
Cybersecurity experts emphasize that the case of the Italian hacker should warn organizations and companies to pay more attention to securing their systems.
