AI Used to Cover Up Government Database Hacks in Comedy of Errors
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Alleged Data Theft and Cover-Up: Brothers Turn to AI After Hacking Government Agencies
Table of Contents
Updated December 5, 2025, at 00:37:01 PST
The Allegations
Muneep Akhter and his brother are facing charges related to the alleged theft and attempted cover-up of data from multiple U.S. government agencies. Prosecutors allege that after deleting information from the Department of Homeland Security,Muneep Akhter turned to an AI chat tool seeking guidance on how to erase digital footprints.
According to the indictment, just one minute after deleting department of Homeland Security data, Akhter allegedly queried the AI tool: “how do i clear system logs from SQL servers after deleting databases.” He followed this with a query about clearing logs from Microsoft Windows Server 2012, as detailed by prosecutors.
The AI Assistance and Failed Cover-Up
the indictment details the databases compromised and information stolen, suggesting the brothers’ attempts to conceal their actions were unsuccessful. It remains unclear whether the AI tool provided insufficient instructions, or if the men failed to implement them correctly. Prosecutors also obtained records of communications between the brothers discussing the removal of incriminating evidence from their homes.
Three days after the alleged data deletion,the men reportedly wiped their employer-issued laptops by reinstalling the operating systems,further indicating an attempt to destroy evidence.
Background: Previous Convictions
This is not the first time the Akhter brothers have faced legal repercussions for hacking. They were previously convicted a decade ago for hacking into U.S. State Department systems according to a 2015 Department of Justice press release. Details of that prior case are still emerging as the current investigation unfolds.
Technical Details: Log Clearing Attempts
The queries to the AI tool reveal the specific technical steps the brothers attempted to take to cover their tracks. SQL server logs and Windows event logs are crucial for auditing system activity. Clearing thes logs is a common tactic used to obscure unauthorized access and data manipulation.
Here’s a breakdown of the systems involved:
| System | Log Type | purpose |
|---|---|---|
| SQL Server | system Logs | Records database activity, including logins, queries, and modifications. |
| Microsoft Windows Server 2012 | Event logs & Application Logs | Records system events, errors, and application-specific information. |