Adult web content provider claims malware was installed on computers

A computer service company claims its business was seriously compromised when an Illinois resident hacked into its computer servers.

LW Systems filed a lawsuit Jan. 9 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Christopher Hubbard.

In its complaint, LW Systems claims Hubbard installed software, known as malware, on its computers. In turn, Hubbard was able to access the information on the machines without LW Systems’s permission.

The software also seriously affected LW Systems’s operations, according to the complaint. The company uses computers to host and deliver content to adult Web site operators to supplement their existing content libraries, the suit states.

“The services offered by plaintiff range from supplementing a Web site’s existing content library to providing a turn-key Web site content solution,” the complaint says.

However, when the malware was placed on the computers, LW Systems computers slowed down. In addition, the malware used up memory on the computers and frustrated the company’s ability to use its computers to operate its business, the company claims.

“Furthermore, plaintiff was forced to incur costs and expenses associated with removing the Malware and guarding against future Malware attacks,” the suit states. “Finally, Plaintiff suffered serious significant reputational harm from the breach of its computers.”

In its complaint, LW Systems alleges trespass to personal property, nuisance, negligence, computer tampering and civil conspiracy, the complaint says.

In its complaint, LW Systems seeks a judgment for compensatory and punitive damages, plus injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Paul A. Duffy of Chicago and Kevin T. Hoerner of Becker, Paulson, Hoerner and Thompson in Belleville will be representing it.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-15.