Explore the latest news and trends  

Sign up for our weekly security newsletter


Be the first to receive important updates on security





Send

Hackers Infiltrated New York Times’ Tweeter Account

Security firm Sophos has revealed that cyber crooks have hacked The Moment, one of the Twitter accounts of the New York Times that used to bring news stories from the fashion blog of the paper.

The hacked account was used to send spam message that stated, "Everyone visit [LINK] for 100% FREE webcam girls/guys doing anything you ask them in the chat, I love it personally."

Sophos' senior technology consultant, Graham Cluley stated that the assault is merely an add-on to the long list of cyber assaults on Twitter accounts. He also said that these high-profile accounts have become the hackers' prime target, as even if a smaller number of Internet users open the malicious link in the spam e-mail, the spammers will be successful in their mission, as reported by Help Net Security on May 14, 2009.

Cluley emphasized that it is extremely essential for a higher number of users to become aware of attacks targeted at high-profile sites. They must make sure that their passwords are so difficult for the hackers to crack.

As per security experts, the latest attack is an alert to the users of Tweeter that they should update the security software of their computers in order to avoid the infiltration of any malicious content.

However, the hacked account is right now under control and has not suffered any major damage, as per reports. A few hours after The Moment was once again taken under control by the security experts, the New York Times confessed that the account was hacked and made apology to the public.

Sophos has advised people to remain cautious while clicking on the links embedded in Tweets, especially the ones created by using link shortening services, otherwise they may be redirected to malicious websites.

The hacking assaults on Twitter accounts are not for the first time. Just recently, in the starting of May 2009, a France-based computer hacker supposedly accessed control to internal computer systems of Twitter and gained access to several millions of Twitter accounts, including that of the American President Barack Obama. The criminal called "Hacker Croll" posted numerous screenshots on Internet, showing him committing this crime.

Related article: Hackers Redirect Windows Live Search to Malicious Sites

» SPAMfighter News - 5/28/2009

3 simple steps to update drivers on your Windows PCSlow PC? Optimize your Slow PC with SLOW-PCfighter!Email Cluttered with Spam? Free Spam Filter!

Dear Reader

We are happy to see you are reading our IT Security News.

We do believe, that the foundation for a good work environment starts with fast, secure and high performing computers. If you agree, then you should take a look at our Business Solutions to Spam Filter & Antivirus for even the latest version of Exchange Servers - your colleagues will appreciate it!

Go back to previous page
Next