Hackers target Garda social media accounts

Gardaí responded on Thursday after two of their accounts on X were hacked overnight and links were posted under their handle.

The @gardainfo and @gardatraffic pages on the platform were the affected accounts and it has been confirmed that the “unauthorised access” occurred only on X.

A link shared on these pages encouraged users to claim an “allocation” and made reference to an online wallet associated with crypto.

An Garda Síochána stated that it is “satisfied” that this third-party access of two X accounts has not led to any unauthorised access of garda systems or data.

A statement reads: “An Garda Síochána can confirm third-party unauthorised access with 2 Official Garda Social Media X accounts @gardainfo and @gardatraffic.

“This unauthorised access has occurred on the X platform only. An Garda Síochána is satisfied that there is no unauthorised access with any Garda systems and that there is no loss or impact on any Garda data.

“An Garda Síochána is warning members of the public not to interact with any content posted on the @gardatraffic or @gardainfo X accounts, or accounts purporting to be these accounts.

“An Garda Síochána continues to carry out our internal enquiries and work with the X platform to understand how this unauthorised access has occurred.”