Prosecutors allege that suspect intentionally caused cyber-attack
A US man has been charged with orchestrating a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that disrupted internet access across Plattsburg, New York.
Thomas A. Johnson, 24, of Boone, North Carolina, performed the attack in March 2016, according to a Department of Justice press release issued yesterday (March 25).
Prosecutors allege that Johnson intentionally caused damage to a protected computer.
The offense carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail, as well as a fine of up to $100,000, and a term of supervised release of up to a year.
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The statement reads: “DDoS attacks target websites and online services. The attacker causes the targeted server or network to be overwhelmed by more internet traffic than the server or network can typically accommodate, which renders the affected server or network inoperable for a period of time until service can be restored.
“The charges in the information are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
Johnson has been bailed pending further proceedings.
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