Teacher web site hit by prank

[mea culpa <jericho () DIMENSIONAL COM>]

From: William Knowles <erehwon () kizmiaz dis org>

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/tech/1999/oct/19/101900366.html

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) [10.20.99] - An Internet site used by teachers
across the country recently included what looked like a note from a
teacher admitting he molested children and dogs.

But it turned out to be a prank by a student at the teacher's high school
in East Greenwich, police say.

The 15-year-old student was charged on Oct. 6 with the use of false
computer information, a misdemeanor, and could be expelled. He was
released to the custody of his parents and is due to appear before the
East Greenwich juvenile hearing board this week.

The prank has the owners of SchoolNotes.com wondering how they can
increase security on the Web site, which is used by about 25,000 teachers
to post curriculum information and homework assignments.

Ricardo Valencia, a spokesman for Copernicus Interactive, which owns
SchoolNotes.com, said the company is "appalled" by the boy's act and "very
concerned about students being able to access or to hack their way onto
the Web site."

Teachers must subscribe to the service to post information. Posing as the
teacher, the student created an account in the teacher's name and posted
the note, police said.

Neither was identified.

Another teacher at the school discovered the note and informed school
authorities.

The student has admitted to the crime, said East Greenwich police Det.
Lt.  William Higgins.

"He thought it would be a funny prank for him and his friends to view," he
said.

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