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23-Year-Old Pleads Guilty in Connection with Massive 2020 Twitter Hack

 

A U.K. national responsible for the 2020 Twitter hack, which compromised 130 high-profile accounts, including those of Bill Gates and Elon Musk, has pleaded guilty and could face up to 70 years in prison. 

Joseph James O’Connor, also known as PlugwalkJoe, has admitted to his involvement in cyberstalking and multiple computer hacking schemes, including the July 2020 Twitter hack. The attack involved O’Connor and his co-conspirators using social engineering techniques to obtain unauthorized access to Twitter’s backend tools and subsequently taking control of the accounts, netting them $120,000 in a few hours.

O’Connor was extradited from Spain in April after the Spanish National Court approved the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to hand over O’Connor to face 14 criminal charges in the U.S. O’Connor is one of four individuals who have been charged with carrying out the Twitter hack. Mason Sheppard has not been arrested, Nima Fazeli and Graham Ivan Clark were arrested in the same month, and Clark was awarded a three-year jail term in March 2021 after pleading guilty to 30 felony charges.

Aside from the Twitter incident, O’Connor has been charged with computer intrusions related to takeovers of TikTok and Snapchat user accounts, as well as stalking a juvenile victim online. O’Connor and his co-conspirators have also been accused of employing SIM swapping techniques to siphon cryptocurrency worth $794,000 from a New York City-based crypto company between March and May 2019.

O’Connor has agreed to forfeit about $794,000 in stolen funds and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23. The charges carry a total maximum penalty of over 70 years in prison. SIM swapping is an increasingly popular technique used by cybercriminals to gain access to accounts and data. To protect yourself from SIM swapping attacks, be cautious when sharing personal information online, use strong passwords, and enable two-factor authentication on all of your accounts.

Creative Mind

Hello Dope SOUL'S, I am super excited to introduce myself as the founder of TechZone101.com and a passionate self-taught blogger. With a strong focus on technology and its ever-evolving landscape, I have learned everything online by myself, and I strive to provide insightful and informative content for my readers. Growing up, I was always fascinated by the power of technology and how it shapes our world. This curiosity led me to dive deep into computer science and engineering, where I taught myself the essential skills that laid a strong foundation for my career in the tech industry. After several years of being a self-taught software engineer, I realized my true passion lay in sharing knowledge and connecting with people who share similar interests. This drove me to establish TechZone101.com, a platform where I could showcase my expertise and provide valuable information about the latest tech trends, gadgets, and software. As a self-taught blogger, I continually explore new technologies, analyze market trends, and test various products to provide honest and unbiased reviews. Through my writing, I aim to make complex concepts easy to understand and help readers make informed decisions. I firmly believe that intelligence doesn't solely come from school; rather, it can be cultivated through dedication and a hunger for learning. Therefore, I strive to create content that caters to both tech enthusiasts and beginners, breaking down complex subjects into digestible articles and tutorials. In addition to my work as a blogger, I actively participate in tech conferences and events, seeking opportunities to collaborate with industry professionals and stay up-to-date with the latest advancements. This ensures that my content remains accurate, relevant, and beneficial for my audience. I am excited to continue this journey of discovery and growth, and I am grateful for the support and engagement of my readers. TechZone101.com will always be a platform dedicated to sharing knowledge, connecting with the tech community, and helping readers navigate the ever-evolving tech landscape. Thank you for being a part of this journey. Stay curious, stay tech-savvy! Best regards, [Creative Mind] Founder of TechZone101.com

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2 Comments

  1. They should probably reduce the sentence , train and hire him later to be a cyber security specialist…..they shouldn't waste him in jail.🥲💔

  2. He's talented he did that at age 19,
    That ain't a right thing to do tho lots of things can influence his acts and I'm not sure if he had good people around him that would have happened.
    They should consider a lot of factors….
    Training and hiring him later is the best option , they shouldn't rot his talent in jail…..💔

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