Texas Man Faces Prison for Network 'Kill Switch' Attack

Former Texas Developer Faces Prison Time for Network Sabotage

Davis Lu, a software developer from Texas, is potentially facing a decade in prison following a federal jury’s guilty verdict. He was convicted on charges of intentionally damaging the network of his previous employer.

Details of the Case

The Justice Department reports that the incidents began after a company restructuring in 2018. This restructuring resulted in diminished responsibilities and reduced system access for Lu, who is 55 years old.

Lu allegedly developed and deployed a destructive program designed to deny network access to all company employees. This program would be triggered if his own account credentials were ever disabled.

The "Kill Switch" Mechanism

Prosecutors revealed that Lu designated the code for this program as “IsDLEnabledinAD.” This name directly references the status of Lu’s account within the company’s Active Directory.

Upon Lu’s departure from the company on September 9, 2019, the “kill switch” was activated. This caused significant disruptions to systems and impacted thousands of employees worldwide.

Financial Impact and Sentencing

The Justice Department estimates that Lu’s actions resulted in financial losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars for the company.

Sentencing has been scheduled for June 23, as indicated by the court’s official records.

Key Takeaways

• The case highlights the potential consequences of disgruntled employees.
• Network security measures are crucial for protecting company assets.
• Intentional damage to computer systems is a serious federal crime.