Eurovision, targeted by hundreds of cyber attacks. The reaction of the Austrian authorities

The Austrian police recorded around 500 cyber attacks on the Eurovision music contest, held in Vienna, the authorities said on Monday, according to DPA, taken over by Agerpres.

Michael Takacs, the commander of Austria's federal police, said the cyber sabotage attempts had been foiled. The attacks targeted not only the Eurovision website, but also the systems for controlling access to the arena that hosted the event.

The perpetrators of the attacks tried to disrupt, slow down or disable the systems, Takacs said during a press conference, adding that details about the perpetrators and their motives were not available.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said the goal of law enforcement was to ensure a safe and peaceful event. “We did it,” he said, noting that no serious incidents were reported during the live performances, public screenings and related demonstrations.

Jörg Leichtfried, state secretary in Austria's interior ministry, said authorities were closely monitoring potential threats from Islamic extremists and violent groups with ties to Iran.

About 3,500 Austrian police were mobilized during the final week of the contest in Vienna, supported by special units from the German region of Bavaria, officials said.

Internal security services also monitored social media activity, where, according to Leichtfried, an increase in “polarization and radicalization” was observed.

The Eurovision contest was also marked by several protests, mostly against Israel's participation.

Shortly before Saturday's final, which saw Bulgaria crowned as this year's winner, 14 masked pro-Palestinian activists were detained for failing to stop their peaceful but unauthorized protest when asked to do so by the police.

A total of 16 arrests were made in connection with Eurovision, including one person who tried to scale a barrier installed around the arena.