24-year-old pleads guilty to hacking into Nintendo's network

A 24-year-old security researcher has admitted guilty to hacking into Microsoft and Nintendo servers to steal confidential information. Zammis Clark used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and other software to hack into Nintendo’s internal network, and then gained access to highly confidential game development servers. This is where Clark had access to unreleased game code, as well as 2,365 usernames and passwords. Nintendo did not discover the breach in May 2018.

Nintendo has estimated the damages somewhere between $913,000 and $1.8 million. Clark was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. A Serious Crime Prevention Order was granted for a period of five years, which carries an unlimited fine and up to five years in prison if breached.