Hacker Who Attacked Colombian Government Websites Sentenced to more than 3 Years in Prison

A judge in Bogotá sentenced Andres Felipe Cardoso Alvarez, alias Orgon and purportedly part of the group Anonymous Colombia, to more than 3 years and 5 months in prison for the crimes of abusive access to a computer system, computer damage, and illegitimate hindering of a computer system.

According to the prosecutors office, Cardoso illicitly entered several private and public websites, including the official site of the Colombian president’s office (presidencia.gov.co), 12 mayoral offices, various municipal agencies, and the Regional Autonomous Corporations of Tolima, Huila and Norte de Santander, a departmental entity that regulates environmental activities and land use.

He also is now obligated to pay a fine of $28,000 USD.

Major Adrian Vega Hernandez, the head of the Police Cyber Center that contributed to the investigation, told Semana magazine that in there is no leadership structure within Anonymus Colombia and members work independently within hacking operations

“They, within the organization, do not have a defined hierarchy because it is not a pyramidal structure, it is a linear structure,” he told Semana. “They all contribute with the same capabilities to attack the targets and no one commands over the other.”

Cordoso was initially arrested in Aguazul, Casanare.

“Analysts from the Police Cybernetic Center established that Cardoso Álvarez was a participant in the cyber attacks called OP_Colombia and False Independence, which targeted the websites of the Ministry of Defense, the Attorney General’s Office, the National Army and the National Police,” said Olga Salazar, director general of Dijín, to Semana.

(Photo credit: Fiscalía)