A man suspected of trying to hack into the Oxford Public Library’s computer network last week was banned from the facility and is currently under investigation by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department.
It all started Thursday, July 22 when the library’s computer system kept shutting down between approximately 2 and 6 p.m., according to Library Director Judy Doublestein.
The Lake Orion-based Micro Tech Systems was called in to determine the problem. Micro Tech Systems provides the library with tech support for its computers.
Doublestein said computer technicians determined that someone was repeatedly attempting to hack into the library’s computer network using false IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, which are four-digit numbers used to identify computers while on-line.
The library system’s ‘fire wall,? which is a computer program designed to block unauthorized users from gaining access to a system, can only handle so many of these attempts to hack in before it shuts the system in order to protect it, according to Doublestein.
Computer technicians were able to determine the source of the hacking was coming from inside the library. The source was then pin-pointed to one of the library’s internet ports, which allow patrons to plug in their laptop computers and gain access to the internet.
As soon as the port was shut down, Doublestein said the computer problems stopped and the person using the port, identified for now as a 29-year-old local man, immediately left the library.
‘He didn’t come up to desk and ask why he was shut down. He just left,? she said.
The next morning the man returned and library’s network shutdowns began again, Doublestein said.
Technicians were able to once again trace the source of the problem to the internet port the man was using.
Sheriff’s deputies were called to the library, where they confiscated the man’s laptop, escorted him from the building and told him to not return.
‘He’s been banned,? said Sheriff’s Detective John Robertson. If the man returns to the library, he can be cited for trespassing, the detective said.
The confiscated laptop is being examined by the sheriff’s Computer Crimes Unit, according to Robertson.
At the press time, the sheriff’s report on the incident had not been completed, however, Robertson said when it was, he would review it and consult with the Computer Crimes Unit and Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office as to what charges, if any, could be filed against the man.
Doublestein said she didn’t understand what the suspected hacker’s motive was.
She noted the alleged hacking incidents cost the library approximately $500 for the hours of necessary tech support.
The director said the incidents also affected library operations because when the network shuts down, the on-line card catalog can’t be accessed nor can books be circulated.