Twitter hack: Social media giant suffers ‘huge’ billing information data breach

TWITTER has reported a serious "security incident" on the billing information of businesses using the social media giant.

Civil Service tweet under ‘investigation’ says Government

In a message to business owners on the platform, Twitter reported a data breach while using its advertisement and analytics platform. This meant that prior to May 20, 2020 certain details would be stored within a web browser's cache. Web cache is whereby documents or information of the pages a user has visited are stored on the web browser. 

In a message to sent to business owners on the platform, Twitter said: "We are writing to let you know of a data security incident that may have involved your personal information on ads.twiiter and analytics.twitter. 

"We became aware of an issue that meant that prior to May 20, 2020, if you viewed your billing information on ads.twitter or analytics.twitter the billing information may have been stored in the browser's cache. 

"Examples of that information include, email address, phone number, last four digits of cour credit card number."

It is not clear how many businesses were affected by the security breach. 

Twitter hack: Social media giant reports data breach

Twitter hack: Social media giant reports data breach (Image: GETTY)

Twitter hack: Some personal information was stored

Twitter hack: Some personal information was stored (Image: GETTY)

While there has been no confirmation as to whether this was a technical breach or sophisticated attack, cyber-attacks have increased during the coronavirus lockdown. 

According to the data from cybersecurity company, Darktrace, attacks aimed at home workers increased from 12 percent of malicious email to more than 60 in May. 

The attacks were aimed at exploiting the uncertainty of businesses amid and employees amid the virus pandemic. 

Other attacks have also pinpointed those using platform such as Zoom. 

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Twitter hack: There was an increase in malicious activity

Twitter hack: There was an increase in malicious activity (Image: GETTY)

Last month, Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab reported foreign actors were using the pandemic to carry out malicious cyber activity. 

On May 5, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and US’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) aimed at targeting healthcare and research institutions. 

Mr Raab also indicated Russia had been behind the cyber attacks on the UK. 

He insisted the Russian government is engaged in a campaign of misinformation and propaganda. 

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Twitter hack: Mr Raab indicated Russia could be behind the attacks

Twitter hack: Mr Raab indicated Russia could be behind the attacks (Image: PA)

Twitter hack: Mr Raab also indicated Iran could be involved in the attacks

Twitter hack: Mr Raab also indicated Iran could be involved in the attacks (Image: PA)

He said: "Russia and other countries - and indeed non-state actors - see the challenges that Covid has created and are trying to exploit it.

"And we're making sure we have got the resilience, the defence and the capabilities to prevent them from doing so.

"We certainly know Russia is engaged systematically in misinformation and propaganda, through cyber and other ways.

"Others engage in the same too, China and Iran, but I don't think it had any outcome on the electoral process in the UK."


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This month, Australia's Prime Minister, Scott Morrison also reported a widespread attack across multiple institutions. 

He indicated the attack occurred across the services and businesses. 


Twitter hack: Australia also reported a cyber attack

Twitter hack: Australia also reported a cyber attack (Image: PA)

According to Mr Morrison, the attack had been carried out by a malicious state rather than individuals.

He said: "There are not a large number of state-based actors that can engage in this type of activity."

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