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AAP
AAP
National
Farid Farid

Hacking suspect nabbed over court file data breach

Two laptop computers have been seized as a man faces charges over a court file date breach. (Dan Peled/AAP PHOTOS)

A man has been charged with hacking Australia's largest online court-filing system, but authorities believe the cyber crime hasn't compromised any personal data. 

The NSW JusticeLink allows lawyers, police and businesses to upload sworn statements, identity information and other files for the 400,000-plus court cases filed each year.

The state government revealed in March an account had used automation to download more than 9000 files before being booted from the system, with experts moving quickly to shut down the account.

"NSW Police Cybercrime Squad detectives have laid charges in relation to last month's serious data breach involving the Department of Communities and Justice," Police Minister Yasmin Catley said late on Wednesday.

Signage at the Supreme Court building (file image)
More than 9000 files were downloaded from the NSW JusticeLink system. (Peter Rae/AAP PHOTOS)

A 38-year-old man was arrested in Maroubra in Sydney's southeast, with officers seizing two laptops, NSW Police said.

He was charged with accessing or modifying restricted data held in computer, as well as use of carriage service to cause harm.

The files were accessed over a two-month period between late January and late March.

Acting Attorney-General Ron Hoenig assured NSW residents "the matter is now contained and the system is stable".

He said no personal information had been detected online or on the dark web and no one protected by apprehended violence orders were identified as being at increased risk of harm.

Justice department officials blocked the intruder's account almost immediately after detecting the incident and spent days analysing the extent of the unlawful access before police were notified.

The man is due to appear in Waverley Court on Thursday.

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