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Matthew Byrne used a dictionary attack to guess the passwords to member profiles on the loveandfriends dating site, which he subsequently defaced.

Byrne gained access because of the simple passwords used on accounts, but did not manage to get into the site's database or servers.

Following the defacement, a police investigation by the Computer Crime Unit identified, located and arrested Byrne, who admitted his part in the offence.

A forensic search of Byrne's computer revealed that he had also written the MIRSA mass mailing email worm.

Byrne pleaded guilty under section 3 of the 1990 Computer Misuse Act regarding 'Unauthorised modification of computer material'. The offence carries a maximum five-year jail sentence.

Judge Rivlin said it was 'a very serious case, which was on the custody threshold'. However, Byrne was landed with eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a two year supervision order.