The distributed project for decoding radio signals from space SETI@Home started more than ten years ago. This is the world's largest distributed computing project, and many of us are already used to running a beautiful screensaver. Therefore, I sincerely feel sorry for Brad Niesluchowski, a system administrator for a school district in Arizona, who for too excessive zeal in the search for extraterrestrial civilizations.
According to the materials of the criminal case, Nesluchowski stole 18 computers and installed them at his home, using a computing cluster for the SETI@Home program, and also, most likely, for a similar distributed scientific computing system. . He also installed the SETI@Home software on all of the school's computers.
As a result, the administrator is charged with damages in the amount of $1,2 million to $1,6 million. This is the cost of electricity for ten years, depreciation of processors and other costs.
The investigation revealed that Nesluchowski registered with the SETI@Home project in February 2000, a month after being hired by the school district, and since then has become the undisputed leader of the SETI@Home project in terms of the amount of information processed (see SETI@Home statistics on ): 579 million "credits", which is equivalent to approximately 10,2 million hours of machine time.
Although Nesluchovsky's efforts were aimed at the benefit of all mankind, he was fired from his job. The investigation also revealed that he did not install a protective firewall on the school network and did not train technical staff. As for the amount of financial damage, they will still understand. The trial of Brad Nesluchovsky will take place in the near future.
Source: habr.com