Teen had access to US intelligence chief’s accounts

A member of the Crackas With Attitude group has broken into several accounts belonging to James Clapper, head of US intelligence. Among other things, he would have had access to Clapper and his wife’s e-mail, and was able to forward telephone calls.

According to Motherboard, the action involves the same teens who previously gained access to CIA Director John Brennan’s email. A member of the group named Cracka now claims to have access to several of Clapper’s accounts, including his personal email and phone. He also allegedly had access to Clapper’s wife’s Yahoo email.

Cracka also says he has forwarded all calls to Clapper’s phone number to a number belonging to the Free Palestine Movement. This is an organization that works for the human rights of Palestinians. When a Motherboard journalist called Clapper’s number, it turned out that it had indeed been forwarded.

A spokesperson for Clapper’s department has confirmed the hack to Motherboard. According to security expert Michael Adams, this would be more about social engineering than a real hack. “Every serious hack starts with social engineering,” he told Motherboard. He adds that it is “insane” that Clapper’s address and telephone number could be found via Google. Cracka said he carried out the action “because there are people who know what the government is doing and don’t agree with it.”