Israeli Man Arrested for Cyberattack on Leading Companies Claims He Tested Security Vigilance

A 43-year-old man from Ashkelon, employed in technological maintenance and with no prior criminal record, was arrested on suspicion of launching a cyberattack against dozens of leading Israeli companies. The investigation, conducted covertly since March by the cyber unit of Lahav 433, revealed that the suspect infiltrated company systems with malware to extract sensitive data. During his interrogation, the man claimed his intent was not to cause harm but to test the companies' alertness to security vulnerabilities. Although no direct damage to the companies' computer systems was reported, the suspect possessed the extracted data. Following his arrest, searches were conducted at his home and several related companies. He was charged with offenses under the Computer Law, illegal wiretapping, and privacy violations. His detention was extended until August 23, 2026, with a gag order imposed on his identity at his lawyer's request. The case remains under investigation by the State Attorney's Cyber Department to assess the extent of exposed information and its use.