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Twitter hack: FBI investigates major attack

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Hackers managed to hijack official accounts of high-profile US figures in an apparent Bitcoin scam.
The FBI has launched an investigation after hackers hijacked Twitter accounts of a number of high-profile US figures in an apparent Bitcoin scam.
« The accounts appear to have been compromised in order to perpetuate cryptocurrency fraud, » said the bureau, urging the public to be vigilant.
Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Joe Biden were among those hit in what Twitter said was a « co-ordinated » attack.
Their official accounts requested donations in the cryptocurrency.
« Everyone is asking me to give back, » said a tweet from the account of Mr Gates, the Microsoft founder. « You send $1,000, I send you back $2,000. »
The US Senate Commerce committee has demanded Twitter brief it about Wednesday’s incident by 23 July.
Twitter said the hackers had targeted its employees « with access to internal systems and tools ».
« We know they [the hackers] used this access to take control of many highly-visible (including verified) accounts and Tweet on their behalf, » the company said in a series of tweets.
It added that « significant steps » had been taken to limit access to such internal systems and tools while the company’s investigation continues.
The tech firm has also blocked users from being able to tweet Bitcoin wallet addresses for the time being.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre said its officers had « reached out » to the tech firm. « We would urge people to treat requests for money or sensitive information on social media with extreme caution, » it said in a statement.
US politicians also have questions. Republican Senator Josh Hawley has written to the company asking if President Trump’s account had been vulnerable.
President Trump’s account was not compromised, the White House said.
The chair of the Senate Commerce committee has also been in contact with Twitter.
« It cannot be overstated how troubling this incident is, both in its effects and in the apparent failure of Twitter’s internal controls to prevent it, » Senator Roger Wicker wrote to the firm.

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