A pair of brothers working for the US government managed to wipe a federal database minutes after being fired, only to be caught because they left their termination video call running. After receiving the news of their dismissal, the duo remained on the open line, allowing the government to record a literal transcript of their criminal coordination. During the recorded session, they executed the 'DROP DATABASE' command and consulted an AI tool for instructions on how to clear SQL server system logs to hide their tracks.
Beyond the digital sabotage, the brothers also exfiltrated thousands of sensitive files containing citizen tax information onto a physical flash drive. Their downfall was a simple failure of digital hygiene: by forgetting to disconnect the call, they provided investigators with a real-time confession and a step-by-step roadmap of their malicious activity. The incident, first reported by Ars Technica, highlights a massive lapse in immediate access revocation for departing employees handling critical infrastructure.
