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A 24-year-old Tennessee man has admitted to repeatedly breaching the U.S. Supreme Court’s electronic filing system as part of a series of cyberattacks against government institutions, federal prosecutors announced Friday.
Nicholas Moore of Springfield pleaded guilty to one count of computer fraud, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison. The case highlights growing concerns about vulnerabilities in government digital infrastructure, even at the highest levels of the federal judiciary.
According to court documents, Moore infiltrated the Supreme Court’s filing system on 25 separate days throughout 2023. He used stolen credentials to access personal records belonging to an authorized user of the system, then posted information about the victim on Instagram using an account with the handle “@ihackedthegovernment.”
The breach of the Supreme Court’s systems comes amid heightened attention to cybersecurity at the judicial branch. In recent years, federal courts have faced increasing digital threats, with the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts previously acknowledging “an apparent compromise” of the judiciary’s electronic filing system in a 2021 statement.
Moore’s activities extended beyond the nation’s highest court. Prosecutors revealed he also used stolen credentials to access personal information stored on AmeriCorps’ computer servers. AmeriCorps, a federal agency that oversees national volunteer service programs, maintains sensitive information about thousands of volunteers and staff members.
In a third breach, Moore accessed a U.S. Marine Corps veteran’s account on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ “MyHealtheVet” platform, which contains confidential medical records and personal information. As with his other intrusions, Moore documented these unauthorized accesses by posting screenshots to his Instagram account.
The case was brought by the office of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, with the charges filed just last week. Moore appeared before U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington, D.C., who scheduled sentencing for April 17.
Cybersecurity experts note that these types of breaches, while technically less sophisticated than some state-sponsored hacking operations, can still cause significant damage to institutional credibility and compromise sensitive information.
“When government systems containing personal information are breached, it undermines public trust in digital government services,” said James Lewis, a cybersecurity specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, in a recent assessment of federal cybersecurity challenges. “What’s particularly concerning is that this individual targeted multiple agencies, suggesting systemic vulnerabilities rather than isolated incidents.”
The intrusions raise questions about credential security practices across government agencies. While the court documents don’t specify how Moore obtained the login credentials he used, cybersecurity professionals frequently cite phishing, credential stuffing, and password reuse as common vectors for such attacks.
The breach also draws attention to the increasing problem of hackers publicly showcasing their exploits on social media platforms. By posting evidence of his unauthorized access to the Instagram account “@ihackedthegovernment,” Moore created a digital trail that likely aided investigators in building their case.
Federal agencies have been under pressure to strengthen their cybersecurity posture following several high-profile breaches in recent years, including the 2020 SolarWinds compromise that affected multiple government departments. The Biden administration issued an executive order in 2021 mandating improvements to federal cybersecurity, though implementation has been uneven across agencies.
As Moore awaits sentencing, the case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in securing digital systems that contain sensitive government and personal information, even at the highest levels of American governance.
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11 Comments
A one-year prison sentence seems lenient for repeatedly hacking the Supreme Court’s systems. The courts should consider more severe penalties to deter future cyber intrusions of this nature.
I agree, the punishment should fit the crime. Hacking critical government infrastructure warrants strong deterrents to protect national security and public interests.
This is a serious breach that could have far-reaching consequences. The judiciary must work closely with cybersecurity experts to bolster their digital defenses and safeguard sensitive judicial records.
While I’m glad the perpetrator was caught and pled guilty, I worry this incident is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to vulnerabilities in government IT systems. Ongoing vigilance and investment in cybersecurity is critical.
I share your concern. Protecting our democratic institutions from cyber threats should be an urgent national priority, requiring a comprehensive, proactive approach.
While the motivations behind these hacking attempts are unclear, it’s unacceptable for anyone to illegally access and disclose confidential government data. The courts must strengthen their digital defenses.
Absolutely. The integrity of our legal institutions is paramount, and any breaches like this undermine public trust. Stronger cybersecurity protocols are essential.
Hacking the Supreme Court’s systems is a brazen act that undermines the rule of law. The courts must work to regain public trust by demonstrating robust cybersecurity measures are in place.
This is a concerning breach of the Supreme Court’s systems. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities at the highest levels of government are worrying and need to be addressed quickly.
I agree, it’s critical that our judicial systems have robust cybersecurity measures in place to protect sensitive information and records.
Cyberattacks on government agencies are becoming increasingly common. This case highlights the need for continuous investment in modern, resilient IT infrastructure across all branches of federal and state authorities.