As Datamation reports, Twitter users love to use the site to rapidly share information via tweets and links, but that activity can also be exploited by outside entities.
In the latest example, a phishing attack put some users at risk forcing the micro-blogging site to respond.
Twitter on Tuesday said it had to reset passwords for “a small number of accounts” after the microblogging site was targeted by a phishing attack.
The site said that attackers had attempted to steal the login information of users who had used their Twitter password username and password to sign up for an untrusted third-party application. Officials didn’t disclose just how many accounts had their passwords changed, saying only that the third-party application had used the login information to post tweets to their accounts.
“As part of Twitter’s ongoing security efforts, we reset passwords for a small number of accounts that we believe may have been compromised offsite,” Twitter said in a statement. “While we’re still investigating and ensuring that the appropriate parties are notified, we do believe that the steps we’ve taken should ensure user safety.”
Being able to rapidly share information, links, photos and videos is big part of Twitter’s allure. But their popularity has long made them a prime target for online criminals.
