Graduate Hacks Into University Computers And Changes His Grades To Straight As

A gifted student who h*cked into his professors’ computers and changed his grades because it was ‘easier than working hard’ has been sentenced to four years in jail.

Roy Sun, 25, masterminded a plot with two other students at Purdue University to ensure he got straight As despite only attending one class.

Sun and his accomplice, Mitsutoashi Shirasaki, placed devices on their instructors’ computers to copy their passwords before logging in and changing their grades late at night.

According to the Journal and Courier, Sun, who got a legitimate A in the one class he did attend, along with a best student award, said: ‘It became so much easier to change my grades than going to class and working real hard.’

The scheme began in 2008 when Sun changed just one grade to see if he would be caught. When the forgery went unnoticed he became bolder, and roped other students into the plot.

Shirasaki, who now lives in Japan after Sun told him to return there, used to sneak into academics’ offices along with Sun to plant keystroke recorders – devices that record every key pressed on the computer.

Another student, Sujay Sharma, who was sentenced to 18 months, stood watch at the door and also had one grade altered by Sun and Shirasaki without knowing.

Sun and Shirasaki developed a system where they would log on to the University system about 10 minutes before the deadline for entering final grades, which was usually late at night, and then alter them

After graduating Sun went on to earn $70,000 as an engineer, before going on to study for a masters in his native Massachusetts.

However after losing his place at Boston University and having his bachelor’s degree withdrawn, his defence attorney claims he is now working as a part-time busboy, earning about $1,500 last year.

Sun admitted being the controlling force behind the plot, who had the expertise and equipment needed to put the scheme in place.

He will serve a total of 90 days in jail, before living out the rest of his sentence on supervised probation.

Before sentencing, Judge Thomas Busch said: ‘The most troubling thing about this is how brilliant you are and how capable your are to devise this and carry it out. … I worry about people who are as bright as you who are as dishonest as you because you can do more damage.’

However, he added: ‘I don’t think that your future is hopeless. I think you have the opportunity to rebuild your life and make your parents proud of you.’

Source: Daily Mail