Former Employee Admits to $500k Malicious Insider Attack on Eaton
A former employee, Davis Lu, has admitted to causing significant damage to his former business, Eaton, in a case that highlights the threat of malicious insiders. Lu, a Texas software developer, faces up to 10 years in prison for intentionally damaging protected computers at Eaton.
Lu's actions date back to August 2019 when he deployed malware that caused crashes and blocked logins at Eaton. His business suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses due to his actions. Lu also created code designed to cause server crashes and delete profile files related to his colleagues. His motive was reportedly a reduction in his role at Eaton in 2018, which led to his decision to sabotage the company.
Lu created a 'kill switch' code, 'IsDLEnabledinAD', which activated upon his termination, locking out thousands of global users. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential damage that can be caused by malicious insiders. According to a Cifas study from February 2024, over half of British businesses are concerned about such threats. This case also echoes another incident in 2020 where a former Cisco engineer was sentenced to 24 months in prison for causing millions in damages and losses to the company.
Lu's actions have resulted in significant financial losses and disruption for Eaton. His case underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and the need for businesses to be vigilant against potential threats from within their own ranks. Lu's sentencing, expected later this year, will determine the full extent of his punishment for his deliberate actions.
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