A former Disney engineer who has downloaded an AI tool for fun says that the decision has destroyed his life and career.
Matthew van Andel, 42, had his financial information stolen by Hackers who used his login data to steal crucial data from Disney, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
That saw him shoot out of work.
He had downloaded the free software from the code-sharing site Github in February on a computer at his $ 1.1 million house. The technology would help him make AI images of text prompts. Instead, it was malware that gave hackers access to his entire digital life – including his work data – through a password manager.
Van Andel knew that something was wrong in July when he received a disagreement report stating: “I gained access to certain sensitive information regarding your personal and professional life.”
The Stranger Messaging knew a lot about him -including details about his lunch with colleagues days that was discussed in a private workplace Slack -channel.
The next morning, after Van Andel went to the police instead of handing over the hackers more information, more than 44 million Disney messages were published online.
The data dump included Disney's private -customer information, passport numbers of employees and the theme park and streaming income numbers.
The hacker claimed online that they had an 'inside man'.
Former Disney engineer Matthew van Andel, 42, says he had destroyed his life after downloading AI software for fun. He is seen with his wife and sons
The technology would help him make AI images of text prompts. Instead, it was malware that gave hackers access to his entire digital life – including his work data – through a password manager. Stock
“The user was aware that we had them, he tried to kick us out once, but let's arrive again for the second time,” they said in an e -mail to CNN after the stolen data dump.
Van Andel had his credit card numbers stolen and his registrations for financial accounts leaked in the data dump. Hackers even posted his Sofin number and login details for the ring cameras in his house.
The father of two told the WSJ “that it is impossible to convey the feeling of violation.”
He told Disney's Cyber ​​Security Team about the infringement and he eventually realized that the hack came through his home computer.
De Hacker, who called himself 'Nullbulge', reportedly told Van Andel that he was part of a Hacktivist group established in Russia that stands for the rights of artists and against companies that use AI.
However, studies say that they are most likely an American and work alone, looking for financial gain.
Van Andel saw his life informed after the hack, with even the Roblox accounts of his children hacked. His social media accounts were filled with attacking language of people who used the stolen data to log in.
Van Halen's sister Christa Maier said to De Los Angeles Post: 'It was a tool that they had initially downloaded to have fun with the children … But it was contaminated with something, and this would only be clear many months later they become clear were my data. '
The hackers could watch Van Andel and his family after stealing logins for his ring cameras. Van Andel's $ 1 million home in Los Angeles is shown above
Van Andel lost his job after Disney said he had access to pornography in his work computer
A few weeks after the hack, Van Andel was fired from Disney after a forensic analysis of his work computer, discovered that he had access to pornographic material on the device – which he denies.
Van Andel's health insurance policy was terminated and he lost around $ 200,000 to bonuses, he told the WSJ.
A Disney spokesperson said the WSJ: 'Mr. Van Andel's claim that he did not participate in the misconduct that led to his termination is strongly refuted by the assessment by the company of his company -out device. '
Van Andel's brothers and sisters started a GoFundme to help him and his family through the test.
“This criminal has taken the most extreme measures to destroy his career, his finances, his reputation and every aspect of his personal well -being,” is the description of the page.
“The extent of these malignant deeds, which continue to unfold, influence the life and safety of not only himself, but also that of his family and two young children.”
