In a recent cybersecurity incident, anonymous hackers have reportedly obtained data containing email addresses of over 200 million Twitter users. The data was allegedly shared on a hacker forum and is currently being given away for free. The stolen information includes email addresses used to set up accounts, which can be a significant concern for users who registered using sensitive email addresses.
While the authenticity of the data has not been verified by the BBC, cybersecurity experts have confirmed the credibility of the breach. Alon Gal, who heads a cybersecurity information firm, stated that the leak is “significant” and would likely lead to several accounts being hacked, targeted with phishing, and doxxed.
This is not the first time Twitter has suffered a data breach. In November 2021, five million accounts’ emails and phone numbers were leaked online. Following the recent data breach, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) has announced that it would examine Twitter’s compliance with data protection laws regarding the security issue.
The stolen data could potentially be worthless, but security experts believe that the newly leaked data may have been accessed through a technique called scraping. This involves exploiting a flaw in a Twitter system by tricking a software linked to Twitter into revealing hidden details about accounts.
Data scraping has become increasingly common in recent years, and social media firms have often downplayed its significance. However, recent fines imposed on Facebook for a 2021 scraping incident, amounting to £230m, shows that tech firms can no longer brush these incidents off as not being serious security issues.
As a Twitter user, it’s essential to take precautionary measures to protect yourself from cyber threats. Consider updating your password, enabling two-factor authentication, and being mindful of emails and messages that seem suspicious.
In conclusion, this recent Twitter data breach underscores the importance of taking cybersecurity seriously. While it’s yet to be confirmed whether the leaked data is genuine or not, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to safeguard your online accounts.
