Students hack into school's computer

Students hack into school's computer


Heading into finals week, students at Cupertino's academic powerhouse Monta Vista High School hacked into the school's computer system, providing the cybertrespassers a chance to peek at their upcoming tests.

The security breach also gave the hackers access to homework assignments and their peers' schoolwork. When a student discovered a list of passwords on a piece of paper this week in the school library and reported it to the librarian, the questions began.

The hackers didn't see or change grades, transcripts or sensitive personal information, which are on a different network, school and district officials said Friday.

Monta Vista High principal April Scott would not say how many students have been disciplined or what penalties they ultimately face, but a vibrant chat on a school Web site includes talk of suspensions. The school also consulted with the sheriff's office.

Parents of one of the hackers told the Mercury News on Friday that the students were simply motivated by "curiosity."

The deed was done at school. The students found an Internet program that targets Windows-based networks and were able to discover the school's passwords, said Glenn Evans, Fremont Union High School District's strategic business and community manager.

School officials learned of the breach Tuesday and fixed the system's vulnerability, said Evans, who oversees the district's information technology department. It's unclear when the hacking started or
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if the hackers viewed any tests.

But "we would certainly suspect that's what students would be interested in," he said.

Scott was unsure if any teachers have decided to modify their finals, which begin Monday.

School officials are still questioning students, Scott said. "You talk to one student who brings another student forward."

The case brings echoes of an earlier cheating scandal at Saratoga High, another academically gifted school where students used high-tech instruments to steal tests.

The mother of one of the disciplined Monta Vista students said her son, a sophomore, meant no harm.

"I understand what the boys did was wrong. I told them this. But they didn't do it because they wanted to do something bad, just curiosity," the mother said. She asked for anonymity to protect the identification of her son, a minor.

"This generation is always interested in how this computer works," she said. "They try different possibilities on how to learn this."

Another parent said her son had been disciplined, "not expelled, but I don't want to say anything further until I talk to my lawyer."

Monta Vista students sign a technology agreement at the beginning of the school year promising to use computers appropriately. Scott said she hoped to use the hacking incident to discuss respecting teachers, academic integrity and fellow students.

On a student discussion board, kids oscillated from gossip to annoyance to bemusement.

The hackers also were the hot topic on campus.

"They're pretty genius for doing it," said Chris Cantwell, 16, a junior. "I thought they had to be really smart to do it."

Still, he thought it was a drag that he had to change his security password because of the breach.

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