Teen Sentenced to Prison for Releasing Computer Worm - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 01-28-2005, 09:39 PM

Man Sentenced for Releasing Computer Worm

SEATTLE - A teenager was sentenced Friday to 1 1/2 years in prison for unleashing a variant of the "Blaster" Internet worm that crippled 48,000 computers in 2003.

Jeffrey Lee Parson, 19, of Hopkins, Minn., will serve his time at a low-security prison and must perform 10 months of community service. He had faced up to 10 years in prison, but the judge took pity on the teen, saying his neglectful parents were to blame for the psychological troubles that led to his actions.

"The Internet has created a dark hole, a dungeon if you will, for people who have mental illnesses or people who are lonely," U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman said. "I didn't see any parent standing there saying, 'It's not a healthy thing to lock yourself in a room and create your own reality.'"

Defense lawyers said Parson feared leaving the house and his parents provided little support. He pleaded guilty last summer to one count of intentionally causing or attempting to cause damage to a protected computer.

Parson created a Blaster version that launched a distributed denial-of-service attack against a Microsoft Windows update Web site as well as personal computers. Blaster and its variants, also known as the LovSan virus, crippled networks worldwide.

Parson's lawyers said he has made great strides since his arrest. They also credited him with making a Seattle School District video warning teens of the dangers of Internet vandalism.

Parson apologized to the court and to Microsoft, saying, "I know I've made a huge mistake and I hurt a lot of people and I feel terrible." He will still have to pay restitution to Microsoft and to people whose commuters were affected in an amount to be determined at a hearing next month.

Parson was charged in Seattle because Microsoft is based in suburban Redmond.

Janet McFarland · 01-28-2005, 09:54 PM

I think his face would look good in one of our smileys

Janice · 01-28-2005, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet McFarland

I think his face would look good in one of our smileys

Okay, that's a vision that's in my head for the rest of the night.

Georgia's on my Mind · 01-28-2005, 10:25 PM

im going to vomit

Hollow · 01-28-2005, 10:26 PM

when i saw "Teen Sentenced to Prison for" i thought it was gonna be something really stupid like passing notes in class. i'm getting too used to hearing things like thar.

TheGreatPretender · 01-29-2005, 12:02 AM

God I need to get off the Internet.

TheHappyBurgerMeister · 01-29-2005, 12:06 AM

Prison? For a computer worm? Seems kind of harsh to me.

Oh, and who is that hottie in the B&W picture???!!! YUMMY!

Janet McFarland · 01-29-2005, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Okay, that's a vision that's in my head for the rest of the night.

Belair · 01-29-2005, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHappyBurgerMeister

Prison? For a computer worm? Seems kind of harsh to me.

I dont think so.I am sick of idiots with nothing better to do,screwing up people's computers.These things cost a sh*tload of money to fix,that could be spent on other things

I reckon that kid should have spent less time on the computer,and more time exercising,god knows he needs it.

TheHappyBurgerMeister · 01-29-2005, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pretty in Purple

I dont think so.I am sick of idiots with nothing better to do,screwing up people's computers.These things cost a sh*tload of money to fix,that could be spent on other things

I reckon that kid should have spent less time on the computer,and more time exercising,god knows he needs it.

Well, I really don't know anything about computer worms, so yeah. Yeah, he definitely should be exercising!

TheHappyBurgerMeister · 01-29-2005, 02:38 AM

What happened to the post with that guy's picture? Must have got deleted. Who was that anyway? The black and white picture.

TJL · 01-29-2005, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

'It's not a healthy thing to lock yourself in a room and create your own reality.'

Some people, like myself, call that "writing."

Penny Lane · 01-29-2005, 11:10 AM

I had to deal with that blasted Blaster Worm last year! I had murder on my mind!

These computer creeps ought to be hung at sunrise!

Sterling Holobyte · 01-29-2005, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penny Lane

These computer creeps ought to be hung at sunrise!

Amen to that! I'm sick of these people who have nothing better to do than figure out ways to screw up your computer, or worse, get your financial information.

Warm & Fuzzy · 01-29-2005, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penny Lane

I had to deal with that blasted Blaster Worm last year! I had murder on my mind!

These computer creeps ought to be hung at sunrise!

Now, now.. calm down. LOL!! Here's a hammer:

His face as a smiley?? Ayyy...

01-28-2005, 09:39 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Teen Sentenced to Prison for Releasing Computer Worm Man Sentenced for Releasing Computer Worm SEATTLE - A teenager was sentenced Friday to 1 1/2 years in prison for unleashing a variant of the "Blaster" Internet worm that crippled 48,000 computers in 2003. Jeffrey Lee Parson, 19, of Hopkins, Minn., will serve his time at a low-security prison and must perform 10 months of community service. He had faced up to 10 years in prison, but the judge took pity on the teen, saying his neglectful parents were to blame for the psychological troubles that led to his actions. "The Internet has created a dark hole, a dungeon if you will, for people who have mental illnesses or people who are lonely," U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman said. "I didn't see any parent standing there saying, 'It's not a healthy thing to lock yourself in a room and create your own reality.'" Defense lawyers said Parson feared leaving the house and his parents provided little support. He pleaded guilty last summer to one count of intentionally causing or attempting to cause damage to a protected computer. Parson created a Blaster version that launched a distributed denial-of-service attack against a Microsoft Windows update Web site as well as personal computers. Blaster and its variants, also known as the LovSan virus, crippled networks worldwide. Parson's lawyers said he has made great strides since his arrest. They also credited him with making a Seattle School District video warning teens of the dangers of Internet vandalism. Parson apologized to the court and to Microsoft, saying, "I know I've made a huge mistake and I hurt a lot of people and I feel terrible." He will still have to pay restitution to Microsoft and to people whose commuters were affected in an amount to be determined at a hearing next month. Parson was charged in Seattle because Microsoft is based in suburban Redmond.

01-29-2005, 12:02 AM	#6
TheGreatPretender just because Forum Veteran Join Date: May 22, 2004 Location: Trying to think of a creative, witty location. Posts: 7,628	God I need to get off the Internet.
	__________________ Peace is a good thing and so is salmon when it's smoked

01-29-2005, 12:06 AM	#7
TheHappyBurgerMeister Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 23, 2002 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 2,209	Prison? For a computer worm? Seems kind of harsh to me. Oh, and who is that hottie in the B&W picture???!!! YUMMY!
	__________________ Kristina Thinkin' 'Bout Something Official Music Video Shout it Out- Hanson's 5th studio album in stores June 8th!

01-29-2005, 11:10 AM	#13
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,308	I had to deal with that blasted Blaster Worm last year! I had murder on my mind! These computer creeps ought to be hung at sunrise!
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

01-28-2005, 09:54 PM	#2
Janet McFarland Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 09, 2004 Posts: 4,344	I think his face would look good in one of our smileys

01-28-2005, 10:25 PM	#4
Georgia's on my Mind Senior Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Aug 19, 2001 Posts: 25,054	im going to vomit

01-28-2005, 10:26 PM	#5
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	when i saw "Teen Sentenced to Prison for" i thought it was gonna be something really stupid like passing notes in class. i'm getting too used to hearing things like thar.

01-29-2005, 02:38 AM	#11
TheHappyBurgerMeister Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 23, 2002 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 2,209	What happened to the post with that guy's picture? Must have got deleted. Who was that anyway? The black and white picture.