iTnews

Govt IT contractor charged over cryptocurrency mining

By Justin Hendry on May 21, 2019 8:47AM
Govt IT contractor charged over cryptocurrency mining

More than $9000 allegedly mined on agency IT systems.

A Sydney man has been charged by the Australian Federal Police for allegedly modifying the computer systems of a federal government agency to mine cryptocurrency while employed as an IT contractor.

The 33-year-old man is slated to face Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday charged with unauthorised modification of data to cause impairment and unauthorised modification of restricted data.

It follows a search of the man’s Killara property in Sydney’s monied Upper North Shore in March, which led police to seize a laptop, phone, data files and employee ID cards.

AFP will allege the man “abused his position as an IT contractor to manipulate program to use the processing power of the agency’s computer network for cryptocurrency mining”.

Profits from the alleged mining operations are estimated to worth in excess of $9000.

Cyber crime operations manager, acting commander Chris Goldsmid, described the alleged abuse of public office a very serious matter.

“Australian taxpayers put their trust in public officials to perform vital roles for our community with the utmost integrity. Any alleged criminal conduct which betrays this trust for personal gain will be investigated and prosecuted,” he said.

If found guilty, the man faces a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment.

In March 2018, two IT workers at the Bureau of Meteorology were questioned by police over the alleged use of the agency’s IT infrastructure to mine cryptocurrency.

Got a news tip for our journalists? Share it with us anonymously here.
Copyright © iTnews.com.au . All rights reserved.
Tags:
afp contractor cryptocurrency governmentit security

Partner Content

Nestlé subsidiary sees sweet returns from data-driven transformation
Partner Content Nestlé subsidiary sees sweet returns from data-driven transformation
Resetting cyber security for the new threat landscape
Partner Content Resetting cyber security for the new threat landscape
Four data superpowers to harness before 2022
Promoted Content Four data superpowers to harness before 2022
Putting cyber security basics in place
Partner Content Putting cyber security basics in place

Sponsored Whitepapers

DevSecOps: A framework for digital innovation
DevSecOps: A framework for digital innovation
Encryption: Protect your most critical data
Encryption: Protect your most critical data
Overcoming data security challenges in a hybrid, multicloud world
Overcoming data security challenges in a hybrid, multicloud world
Move beyond passwords
Move beyond passwords
The top 5 tech trends to deliver business outcomes
The top 5 tech trends to deliver business outcomes

Events

  • On-Demand Webinar: How Poly and Microsoft are Embracing Future Work Environments
By Justin Hendry
May 21 2019
8:47AM
0 Comments

Related Articles

  • CSIRO IT contractor spared jail for mining Monero on supercomputer
  • ABS rebuilds incident response ahead of 2021 Census
  • Antivirus pioneer John McAfee charged with cryptocurrency fraud
  • NSW govt's mandatory data breach reporting scheme unlikely before 2022
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Whatsapp Email A Friend

Most Read Articles

CBA becomes first 'Big 4' data recipient under CDR

CBA becomes first 'Big 4' data recipient under CDR

NSW Police green-lights Mark43 for $1bn COPS overhaul

NSW Police green-lights Mark43 for $1bn COPS overhaul

Urgent patches out for exploited Exchange Server zero-days

Urgent patches out for exploited Exchange Server zero-days

NBN Co to start consulting on gigabit speeds for FTTC

NBN Co to start consulting on gigabit speeds for FTTC

You must be a registered member of iTnews to post a comment.
Log In | Register
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorisation.
Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of nextmedia's Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.