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Symplicity Chief Pleads Guilty to Hacking Competitors
Ariel Manuel Friedler, 36, president and chief executive officer of Symplicity Corporation, a Virginia-based higher education software provider, pleaded guilty to conspiring to hack into the computer systems of two competitors.
According to court records, Friedler conspired with two other Symplicity employees between 2007 and 2011 to hack into the computer systems of Maxient LLC and a second company, identified in court documents as ‘Company A.’
Friedler decrypted account passwords of former customers and used TOR, a network of computers used to encrypt and anonymize online communications, to hide his IP address. He then accessed customer contacts and viewed the proprietary and confidential software design and features of the competitors to inform Symplicity’s software development and sales strategy.
The hacking scheme caused significant harm to the competitors and gave Symplicity an unfair business advantage, according to Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Lee of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office.
‘The hackers who think they can anonymously steal confidential information from competitors’ computer systems should take note: we will investigate you, and we will prosecute you,’ said Acting Assistant Attorney General David A. O’Neil.
Friedler pleaded guilty to conspiracy to access a protected computer without authorization. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 1, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, and Trial Attorney Peter V. Roman of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander T.H. Nguyen are prosecuting the case.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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