a person who gets into computer systems without permission
The hacker broke into the bank's computers.
attack/əˈtæk/noun
a bad action meant to hurt or damage something
The computer attack stopped the trains for many hours.
guilty/ˈɡɪlti/adjective
responsible for doing something bad or wrong
The court said he was guilty of stealing the car.
jail/dʒeɪl/noun
a place where people go as punishment for breaking the law
The man went to jail for five years.
stream/strim/verb
to show something on the internet in real time
She streams her cooking show every Tuesday.
serious/ˈsɪriəs/adjective
important and not funny; something that matters a lot
A car crash is a serious problem.
Article
Two young men did something very bad with computers. Owen Flowers and Thalha Jubair broke into computer systems. They attacked Transport for London. Transport for London runs buses and trains in London. The attack caused big problems and cost a lot of money.
What Did They Do?
The two young hackers got into computers they should not touch. They did this attack and showed it on the internet. Other people could watch what they were doing. This is called live streaming. They thought it was funny. But it was not funny. It was a crime.
Why Is This Bad?
Transport for London is very important. Many people use the buses and trains every day. When the computers break, the trains and buses stop. People cannot get to work. People cannot get home. The attack cost Transport for London a lot of money to fix.
What Happened to Them?
The police found Flowers and Jubair. A court said they were guilty. They broke the law. Now they must go to jail. This is their punishment. Young people need to learn that computer crimes are serious.
Learning the Lesson
This story teaches us something important. Computers and the internet can hurt people. We must use them in good ways. Breaking into systems is wrong. It is against the law. If you are young, you should know this.
Discussion Questions
Do you think computer crimes are as bad as other crimes? Why or why not?
Why do you think the young men put their attack on the internet for people to watch?
What do you think happens to people who get sent to jail? How does it change their life?
How does a computer attack hurt normal people who just want to use buses and trains?
What is the best way to teach young people not to break the law with computers?