NEAR Protocol’s X Account Compromised in September 4th Cyberattack

• NEAR Protocol’s X account was hacked, but no personal data or internal systems were compromised.
• The hacker criticized Web3 and NEAR’s November event, but the event will proceed as planned.
• NEAR Protocol remains committed to its vision, urging community support despite the breach.

On September 4th, NEAR Protocol’s official X account was compromised by an unknown hacker, leading to the dissemination of disruptive content targeting the Web3 community. 

The attack occurred at approximately 14:25 EST, and the hacker’s posts specifically aimed to discredit NEAR Protocol and its upcoming event in Bangkok, scheduled for November. The security breach raised concerns among users, but NEAR’s security team has since provided a detailed assessment of the situation.

Following the account takeover, the hacker posted a video alongside several messages. The video criticized the Web3 ecosystem, suggesting that traditional financial institutions were more reliable than decentralized alternatives like NEAR, Solana, and Ethereum. 

The hacker also mocked the upcoming November event in Bangkok, advising users to “save their money” and calling the event a waste of time and resources. Additionally, the hacker claimed that financial systems supported by companies such as Apple and Amazon were superior to blockchain technology.

NEAR Protocol’s security team, under the leadership of IT security expert Mike Rotch, immediately initiated an investigation into the breach. The team determined that the hack was an isolated incident, with no phishing attempts or malicious links identified during the review. 

NEAR’s security team reassured the community that the hack did not compromise any personal data or internal systems.

In response to the incident, NEAR Protocol reaffirmed its commitment to its vision of a user-owned internet. The team emphasized that the hack was an attempt to disrupt their progress but assured the community that they remained focused on their goals. 

Despite the breach, the upcoming event in Bangkok will proceed as planned, with no changes to the schedule or content.

Susan Warren, NEAR Protocol’s HR lead, addressed the community in the aftermath of the hack, reiterating the importance of their ongoing projects. She encouraged participation in NEAR’s ongoing hackathon, which began on September 5th. 

The November event in Bangkok remains a key focus for the NEAR team, and they continue to invite community involvement, despite the hacker’s efforts to undermine their initiatives.