Boy, 14, held for computer hacking

A 14-year-old boy was arrested yesterday for hacking into the computers of eight secondary schools, prompting police to warn teenagers over such illegal activity.

A classmate of the boy is also expected to be arrested since the suspected hacker, a Form Three student, reportedly told police the classmate had taught him the procedure.

The arrest was made after an information technology company that offers technological support to the eight schools discovered cases of unlawful access early this month and reported them to police.

Officers from the Commercial Crime Bureau went to the boy's home in Old Main Street, Aberdeen, and arrested him at about 7am. They also seized his computer for forensic examination.

The investigation showed that the boy had hacked into the computers of the schools, including his own school, last month.

He reportedly told police he had done it for 'fun', according to Chief Inspector Kenny Wong Tak-cheung.

'He hacked into the teacher- student exchange forum, which is for students to ask teachers academic questions, but a password is needed,' he said.

The investigation showed that no sensitive or secret information had been stolen.

Chief Inspector Wong said the boy might have found the personal particulars of teachers or students, such as names or contact numbers but there was no evidence suggesting any information had been used illegally.

The boy could face a maximum penalty of five years in prison.