A 27-year-old former student has been charged over a string of cyber attacks on Western Sydney University that compromised sensitive information of hundreds of students and staff.
Since 2021, the university has been targeted by a series of sophisticated cyberattacks involving unauthorised access, data theft, system compromise, and misuse of university infrastructure. In the most serious allegations, confidential student data was reportedly threatened with sale on the dark web.
Following extensive investigations, cybercrime detectives executed a search warrant at a property in Kingswood around 8.20 am yesterday. Officers seized computer equipment and mobile devices during the raid.
The woman was arrested and charged with 20 offences, including alleged unauthorised access to data, fraud, and blackmail-related offences. She was refused bail and is expected to appear in court today.
Police will allege that the accused initially exploited the university’s system to fraudulently obtain discounted parking. Her activities allegedly escalated to manipulating academic results and ultimately attempting to monetise stolen student information through dark web threats.
Investigations into the breach are ongoing.
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