WARNING: Twitter Worm Spreading via Direct Messages

Dear readers,

The word of the day today is “Phishing”. It’s sounds like fishing, but instead of using bait to catch smelly swimming fish, you cast your lines (links) and try to catch unsuspecting half-awake people or moms trying to use the computer.

I noticed my email inbox was full of messages from Twitter. Tons of news direct messages, but they looked like they were from robots so I saved it for later. Then I found this being reported on Mashable this morning.

We have received multiple reports that a new, convincing, and dangerous worm and phishing scam is making the rounds on Twitter. Hacked accounts are sending DMs to users and stealing their login information. In fact, one of our own has received one of these direct messages.

Unsuspecting users are receiving DMs with the following text:

If you get this DM, DO NOT VISIT THE LINK. It takes you to a replica of the Twitter login page where the hackers will steal your account and use it to send out more infected DMs to your friends.

If you’re one of the unlucky ones to be fooled by this worm, make sure you change your password. Also delete any tweets or DMs that have the link. If you can’t log into your account, reset the password and contact Twitter Support.

This is not the first worm to hit Twitter, but this one is especially dangerous because the login page is convincing and it is spreading via DMs from friends you trust.

Make sure you guys never click on links you don’t trust and never give out your password. Just in case you need a refresher. You can update your computer security with these free programs.