Student Accused of Hacking Western Sydney University to Obtain Discounted Parking and Modify Academic Records

Police allege the woman’s hacking campaign escalated to threats of selling sensitive student data on the dark web.

A 27-year-old former Western Sydney University student has been arrested and charged with 20 cyber-related offences after allegedly conducting a four-year hacking campaign against the institution. Police claim the activity began with attempts to obtain discounted campus parking and evolved into altering academic records and threatening to sell confidential student information on the dark web.

Authorities say the woman began holding the university to ransom in late 2024, demanding $40,000 in cryptocurrency to prevent the release of private data. A raid on her Kingswood apartment led to the seizure of over 100 gigabytes of data along with various electronic devices. The former electrical engineering student was remanded in custody ahead of a court appearance in Parramatta.

Western Sydney University confirmed the cyberattacks had significantly impacted the campus community and said measures have since been implemented to improve cybersecurity.