Joydev cautions us that 130 high-profile Twitter accounts being targeted in the hacking attack has taken the Internet to storm. The profiles were accounts of some VIP and billionaires. He tells us how to protect Twitter accounts, exclusively for Different Truths.

The news of 130 high-profile Twitter accounts being targeted in the hacking attack has taken the Internet to storm. And why won’t it? The profiles were not of any normal individuals but were verified accounts of some VIP and billionaires including Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates. Similar tweets reading, “I am giving back to my community. All bitcoin sent to the address below will be sent back doubled! If you send $1,000, I will send back $2,000! Only doing this for the next 30 minutes! Enjoy” were tweeted from at least 45 hacked accounts. According to Blockchain.com, the platform that monitors crypto transactions, more than $100,000 worth of bitcoin was sent to the mentioned email address.

Twitter informed that hackers have also downloaded DMs and other personal information of up to eight accounts. However, to address the speculation, they mentioned that none of them were verified accounts and were just normal accounts. In the first blog report issued by Twitter, Twitter has detailed what happened after the biggest security attack in the company’s history

This incident has raised wide concern regarding the safety of Twitter accounts and retaining privacy. In a series of tweets by the Twitter Support handle, Twitter informed that hackers have also downloaded DMs and other personal information of up to eight accounts. However, to address the speculation, they mentioned that none of them were verified accounts and were just normal accounts. In the first blog report issued by Twitter, Twitter has detailed what happened after the biggest security attack in the company’s history, what actions have been taken, what Twitter is planning next.

Before Twitter comes with its updated security systems and policies, let us take some precautionary steps to protect our accounts from such unscrupulous activities. Because one never knows, if they are today, we may be tomorrow the victim of the attack. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts to set a strong password to keep your Twitter account safe and prevent any hacking.

What are the Dos?

Passwords are the path to reach your account. A weaker password makes it an easy task for a hacker to hack your account. It is always recommended to have strong passwords.

Passwords are the path to reach your account. A weaker password makes it an easy task for a hacker to hack your account. It is always recommended to have strong passwords. Here are some tips to set strong passwords:

• Your password should at least be of 10 characters long. Longer the better.
• Use a mix of lowercase, uppercase, numbers, and symbols.
• Try using different passwords for different accounts and websites you visit.
• If you find it difficult to remember all passwords, try keeping them in a safe place using any password management software.

What are the Don’ts?

Generally while keeping our passwords we take it too frivolously and keep easy passwords. There are some mistakes, which we should avoid while keeping passwords. Here are tips to avoid such mistakes:

• Do not keep your personal information like a birthday or mobile number as passwords.
• Common dictionary words like ‘password’, ‘iloveyou’, etc. should be avoided while setting passwords.
• Sequential words or letters like ‘abcd’ or ‘1234’ should not be kept in the password.
• Do not use the same password for every account. This will make all your account vulnerable if one is hacked. Your Twitter password should be unique to Twitter only.

Besides this, some best practices must be followed. They are:

• For an added layer of security, use log-in verification with a one-time password
• Always use an email and phone number to request a reset password link or code.
• Before you enter your login information, ensure you’re on twitter.com or twitter.com/login page. Any difference in URL may be a phishing scam.
• Third parties promising to get you likes, followers, make money, or get your account verified must not be entertained. You should never share your username and password with them.
• Keep updating your computer software, browser, and ensure all antivirus updates are successfully installed.

…ensure all third-party apps that you install are safe and they don’t ask your passwords. One can never assure of being completely safe, but at least taking these steps will avert the risk to a large extent. 

Besides this, ensure all third-party apps that you install are safe and they don’t ask your passwords. One can never assure of being completely safe, but at least taking these steps will avert the risk to a large extent.

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