A former Western Sydney University student who allegedly hacked the school’s databases and threatened to sell student information on the dark web had originally exploited the system to access cheaper parking on campus, police say.
Birdie Kingston, 27, allegedly engaged in a series of escalating hacks on the university’s systems beginning in 2021.
Detectives charged a woman for a series of alleged cyber hacks on Western Sydney University.Credit: Police Media
After cybercrime detectives seized computer equipment and mobile devices from a Kingswood apartment on Wednesday morning, Kingston was arrested and taken to St Mary’s police station, where she was formally charged.
Kingston is facing 20 charges over various counts of eight different offences, including 10 counts of accessing or modifying restricted data held in a computer, and counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and making demands with menace intending to obtain gain or cause loss.
Police will allege that Kingston’s hacking activities escalated from an initial plot to get cheaper parking on campus by accessing an unauthorised discount.
Kingston allegedly then hacked WSU’s systems to alter her academic results, before escalating her alleged hack with a threat to leak private details. Hundreds of staff and students were affected by the incidents.
“Western Sydney University has been working with NSW Police to assist their investigations,” a university spokesperson said.
“These cyber incidents have had a significant impact on the university community, and we are thankful for the support of NSW Police.”
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