Hackers Compromise NBC News' Twitter Account, Post Fake News
A group of hackers calling themselves The Script Kiddies (that is a term that usually describes novice hackers) managed to hack into the Twitter account of NBC News on Sunday, September 11. Once in control of NBC News’ Twitter account, The Script Kiddies used it to post fake news about a terrorist attack on Ground Zero. They posted four tweets. Three of them attempted to fool the public into thinking Ground Zero was attacked. Here are those three tweets.
Tweet 1:
Breaking News! Ground Zero has just been attacked. Flight 5376 has crashed into the site, suspected hijacking. More as the story develops.
Tweet 2:
Flight 4782 is not responding, suspected hijacking. One plane just hit Ground Zero site at 5:47.
Tweet 3:
This is not a joke, Ground Zero has just been attacked. We’re attempting to get reporters on the scene.
In the fourth tweet the hackers revealed that they broke into the Twitter account of NBC News. “NBCNEWS hacked by The Scrip Kiddies” read the fourth tweet.
NBC News, who has some 120,000 followers in Twitter, expressed its sincere apologies for the event and called the incident “a reckless and irresponsible act.” Shortly after the incident NBC News’ Twitter account was taken offline. It has been restored now and the false tweets have been removed.
The incident is now investigated by the FBI. Officials confirmed that agents from the Computer Crimes Unit are looking into the NBC News incident. The FBI did not disclose any other details about the investigation.
It must be mentioned here that the hacker group The Script Kiddies seems to be targeting news organizations. Fox News’ twitter account was compromised two months ago and false reports about a fatal shooting of President Barack Obama were posted. The Script Kiddies claimed responsibility for compromising Fox News.
Tweet 1:
Breaking News! Ground Zero has just been attacked. Flight 5376 has crashed into the site, suspected hijacking. More as the story develops.
Tweet 2:
Flight 4782 is not responding, suspected hijacking. One plane just hit Ground Zero site at 5:47.
Tweet 3:
This is not a joke, Ground Zero has just been attacked. We’re attempting to get reporters on the scene.
In the fourth tweet the hackers revealed that they broke into the Twitter account of NBC News. “NBCNEWS hacked by The Scrip Kiddies” read the fourth tweet.
NBC News, who has some 120,000 followers in Twitter, expressed its sincere apologies for the event and called the incident “a reckless and irresponsible act.” Shortly after the incident NBC News’ Twitter account was taken offline. It has been restored now and the false tweets have been removed.
The incident is now investigated by the FBI. Officials confirmed that agents from the Computer Crimes Unit are looking into the NBC News incident. The FBI did not disclose any other details about the investigation.
It must be mentioned here that the hacker group The Script Kiddies seems to be targeting news organizations. Fox News’ twitter account was compromised two months ago and false reports about a fatal shooting of President Barack Obama were posted. The Script Kiddies claimed responsibility for compromising Fox News.
