Malware on FAI payroll server after cyber attack

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Luke Byrne

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has confirmed that malware was discovered on its payroll server.

It comes after the footballing body admitted last month that an attempt was made to hack its computers.

The FAI told employees there was no evidence found of their data being extracted from the server.

"Upon becoming aware of the incident, the FAI immediately engaged external computer forensic experts to assist with investigating the incident," said a statement released last night.

It said the experts informed it that other critical online services, including the FAInet system, which handles all player registration details, have not been affected in any way by the incident.

"The FAI have treated this matter very seriously and are focused on closing out this incident and preventing any further security incidents," the statement said.

"The association again assures customers that no breach of payment details took place as such data is stored off-site.

"FAI ticket sales are also processed and paid for via a third-party platform.

"The Office of the Data Protection Commission has been notified of the incident as well as our efforts to ensure that no data subjects were adversely impacted."

Members of the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau have been investigating the hacking incident.

It is understood the breach happened early on the Saturday of the June bank holiday.

At the time a source revealed FAI staff had lost historical emails as a result of the incident.