Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 1 day ago
Microsoft says hackers used its X account to promote a cryptocurrency
Microsoft said attackers gained unauthorized access to its official X account.
During the breach, the account posted and reposted content promoting a cryptocurrency called $Clippy, linked to the old animated Office character Clippy.
Microsoft said the posts did not come from the company and that it did not authorize or endorse the token.
The account has more than 13 million followers, so the posts could reach a large audience.
A familiar company account can make a scam seem trustworthy, even when the posts are not genuine.
That may lead people to click links or act quickly on a supposed investment opportunity.
Microsoft said it secured the account, removed the unauthorized posts and is continuing to investigate.
Attackers gained unauthorized access to Microsoft’s official X account and used it to promote cryptocurrency-related content.
Microsoft said two unauthorized posts appeared while the account was compromised and neither originated from the company.
The account has more than 13 million followers.
Microsoft said it secured the account, removed the posts and is investigating.
The posts appeared to promote a cryptocurrency called $Clippy, in what Fox News described as an apparent pump-and-dump scheme.
- Who
- Attackers accessed Microsoft’s official X account.
- What
- They used it to post cryptocurrency-related content, including a post about $Clippy.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- On X.
- Why
- The activity appeared to be part of a cryptocurrency pump-and-dump scheme.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Two unauthorized posts appeared on Microsoft’s X account.
Microsoft said it secured the account and removed the unauthorized posts.
Microsoft said it was continuing to investigate the circumstances.
- Account
- Microsoft’s official X account
- Platform
- X
- Followers
- More than 13 million
- Cryptocurrency
- $Clippy
- Unauthorized posts
- Two
What people are saying
We have confirmed unauthorized access to our account on X, including posts that did not originate from Microsoft. The account has been secured, the unauthorized posts have been removed, and we are continuing to investigate the circumstances.
Sources
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