Fota Wildlife Park in Cork has issued an urgent warning to its customers following a major cyber attack that compromised its website. The breach, which took place between May 12 and August 27, 2024, has raised significant concerns regarding the safety of financial and personal information. Customers who purchased tickets or conducted transactions on the site during this period are advised to cancel their bank cards immediately, as there is a risk that their credit or debit card details may have been accessed by the attackers. Additionally, usernames, passwords, and email addresses associated with user accounts may also be at risk.
The park has taken immediate steps to address the incident, engaging external forensic cybersecurity experts to investigate the breach. The situation has been reported to the Data Protection Commission (DPC), and Fota Wildlife Park is fully cooperating with the DPC and An Garda Síochána in their investigations. The park’s website remains offline as the investigation proceeds, although the park itself continues to operate normally, with tickets available for purchase on-site.
In response to the breach, Fota Wildlife Park has issued specific recommendations to customers to protect their financial information. Affected individuals are urged to cancel their credit or debit cards used on the park’s website, monitor their bank and credit card statements for any unusual activity, and contact their financial institutions if they detect suspicious transactions. Furthermore, customers who use the same passwords for other accounts should change their credentials to enhance security.
The park emphasizes its commitment to protecting customer information and is prioritizing the resolution of this issue. As investigations continue, customers are advised to remain vigilant and take all recommended precautions to safeguard their personal and financial data.
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