2 - 3 minute read
Twitter users, be warned: your personal data may be at risk. Cybercrime intelligence firm Hudson Rock recently tweeted about a “credible threat” in which someone is reportedly selling a private database containing the contact information of 400 million Twitter user data accounts. This includes emails and phone numbers of high-profile users like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Kevin O’Leary, and Vitalik Buterin. Although the company has not been able to fully verify the hacker’s claims, it has reportedly confirmed that the data appears to be legitimate. Web3 security firm DeFiYield also looked at 1,000 sample accounts and verified that the data was real.
This potential breach is particularly concerning for crypto Twitter users, especially those who operate under a pseudonym. However, some users have pointed out that it is hard to believe that such a large-scale breach could occur, given that the current number of active monthly Twitter users is around 450 million. The data is believed to have come from the “Zero-Day Hack” on Twitter in June 2021, in which an application programming interface vulnerability was exploited before it was patched in January 2022. This allowed hackers to scrape private information and compile it into databases to sell on the dark web.
There are some serious concerns with this.
— Haseeb Awan – efani.com (@haseeb) December 25, 2022
#1 – Identities of many pseudo accounts will be public, posing risks for them
#2 – With a phone number, it’s super easy to find anyone’s address and banking information.
#3 – Multiple phishing attempts via cellphone, physical, or email
Two other databases have also been identified, one containing around 5.5 million users and another with approximately 17 million users. The risks of having this information leaked online include targeted phishing attempts, sim swap attacks, and doxing. To protect yourself, experts recommend turning on two-factor authentication, changing your passwords and storing them securely, and using a private, self-hosted crypto wallet.
It is important for Twitter users to remain vigilant and take steps to protect their personal information. With data breaches becoming increasingly common, it is crucial to take the necessary precautions to secure your online accounts. Make sure to regularly update your passwords and enable any available security measures, such as two-factor authentication. By taking these simple steps, you can reduce the risk of having your personal data compromised and protect yourself from potential cyber threats.
