A number of recent law school graduates in Florida claim that testing software required to take the bar exam compromised their computers. This year, the exam was moved online because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The students sent a letter to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners detailing how they became victims of foreign hackers not long after downloading the test software from ILG Technologies. Students reported getting notifications that people were trying to access their financial and social media accounts from Russia, and in some cases, students' computers were completely wiped out.
"Some have experienced a sudden influx of messages from foreign telephone numbers seeking Bitcoin, and many cannot access email accounts after their passwords were changed without their permission," the letter said.
The letter documents 35 different security breaches, including the software's faulty facial recognition software. The letter cites examples of students using photos of dogs and orange juice to gain access to the system. They also said the program forces users to give ILG Technologies "unfettered access to all sensitive information stored on the device."
"ILG's platform is apparently so invasive that the instructions require the user to disarm their device prior to installation, forcing end-users to give ILG unfettered access to all sensitive information stored on the device as well as web camera access, therefore potentially violating examinees' rights to privacy," the letter says.
ILG said they found no evidence that their software has been breached by foreign hackers.
"There is no evidence linking any security breach with ILG Software," a representative for ILG told ABC News. "We actually have had our software audited via third party software security firm, based in Miami, Florida, and the report came back negative for any virus or malware."
The Florida Board of Bar Examiners canceled the exam, which was scheduled for August 20, in part due to problems with the software. It has been rescheduled for October.
"Our inability to offer the Bar examination in August was a failure. We apologize for that failure," Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady said in a video released last week. "We acknowledge and accept the criticism that has been directed at the court and the Board of Bar Examiners."
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