Carried out a long series of unprecedented cyber attacks: indictment against a resident of the south

An indictment was filed against Michael Bar, 43, from Ashkelon, for a series of unprecedented cyber attacks on companies and individuals in Israel. Bar, who served as an information security manager, developed malicious software using AI, hacked into 26 companies, stole business and personal information, photographed intimate images of women and minors, and concealed his actions even when contacted by the National Cyber Directorate.

An indictment was filed today (Thursday) at the Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court against Michael Bar, 43, from Ashkelon, for carrying out a series of unprecedented cyber attacks. Bar is charged with computer intrusion, illegal software operations, virus insertion, invasion of privacy, and theft. According to the indictment, from 2019 until his arrest about three weeks ago, Bar developed malicious software using artificial intelligence and remotely hacked into the computers of 26 companies in the Israeli economy and private computers. He extracted business and personal information, took control of computers, activated cameras without users' knowledge, monitored their activities in real time, and recorded them. Among other things, he photographed intimate images of women employed at the companies and their minor daughters. His actions were discovered in April 2026 following an investigation at one of the companies. Representatives of the National Cyber Directorate contacted him as part of his role, and he concealed that he was responsible for the attack and even continued to develop additional malicious software. The prosecution is requesting his detention until the end of proceedings.