# Yemen Cyber Army Hacker Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison for Stealing Millions of People's Data
A shocking case of cybercrime has come to light as a 26-year-old hacker, Al-Tahery Al-Mashriky, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for his involvement in breaching websites across North America, Yemen, and Israel, and stealing the personal data of millions of people.
Al-Mashriky's arrest was made possible by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who linked him to the Yemen Cyber Army hacking group through social media and email accounts. The NCA investigators conducted a thorough forensic examination of Al-Mashriky's laptop and cellphones, uncovering digital evidence that revealed his involvement in targeting numerous high-profile websites.
Amongst the websites breached by Al-Mashriky were those of the Yemen Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Yemen Ministry of Security Media, and Israeli Live News. He also targeted faith websites in the United States and Canada, as well as the website of the California State Water Board. Moreover, investigators discovered a staggering 4000 Facebook users' personal data on Al-Mashriky's seized laptop, along with files containing usernames and passwords for online services like PayPal and Netflix.
Al-Mashriky gained an online reputation amongst the hacking community by perpetrating an impressive number of attacks and website defacements. He boasted about having hacked into over 3000 websites during a three-month period in 2022 on an online forum. This remarkable feat only served to further fuel his online presence, as he became known for his brazen and devastating cyberattacks.
The Yemen Cyber Army, which emerged ten years ago in the wake of the Yemeni civil war, has historically focused on website defacements like this. However, they have also been involved in stealing data from compromised sites. One notable example is their 2015 hack against the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where they released millions of records and thousands of emails, documents, and login credentials.
In a chilling turn of events, Al-Mashriky pled guilty to his crimes in March. As a result, he has been sentenced to 20 months in prison. According to Paul Foster, head of the NCA's National Cyber Crime Unit, "Al-Mashriky's attacks crippled the websites targeted, causing significant disruption to their users and organisations, just so that he could push the political and ideological views of the Yemen Cyber Army."
This case serves as a stark reminder that cybercrime can have devastating consequences. The NCA has demonstrated its technical capability to pursue and identify offenders like Al-Mashriky and bring them to justice. As Paul Foster emphasized, "Cybercrime can often appear faceless, with the belief that perpetrators hide in the shadows and can avoid detection."
# The Rise of Cybercrime
The case of Al-Tahery Al-Mashriky highlights the ever-growing threat of cybercrime. With hackers becoming increasingly brazen and sophisticated, it is essential for individuals and organisations to take proactive measures to protect themselves.
As a seasoned cybersecurity expert, Graham Cluley reminds us that "Cybercrime can have far-reaching consequences, and it's crucial that we stay vigilant in our pursuit of online security." Follow Graham on LinkedIn, Bluesky, or Mastodon to read more exclusive content about the latest cyber threats and security updates.