If there’s someone I definitely wouldn’t want to be right now, it’s the social media manager for ABC News. That’s because in the early hours of this morning, its Twitter account was hacked, with several colorful tweets posted.
Several of the tweets linked to an account, @the6clerk, which has since been suspended by Twitter. Others expressed a pro-Donald Trump sentiment, which I’m almost certain was tongue-in-cheek.
It’s not immediately obvious how the attackers managed to penetrate ABC News’ Twitter account.
Even if the iconic broadcaster followed basic security procedures – using both a secure password and two-factor authentication – the attackers could have gained access through a third-party plugin, as we saw just the other week when Amnesty International and others suddenly started tweeting Turkish nationalist propaganda.
The 💜 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
Other ABC-owned accounts that were hacked include the account for Good Morning America, and the Good Morning America Pop Nows sub-account.
According to ABC, the company is working on resolving the problem.
https://twitter.com/ABCNewsPR/status/844870189413916672
We’ve reached out to ABC for more information. If we hear back, we’ll update this post.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.