Twitter Spam Collects Mobile Numbers

Twitter, the popular miniblogging social site is used by many cyberciminals to gather information and spread infection.  One more recent potential cyber crime act is an IQ game sent to twitter users.

Cybercriminals send out tweets and/or direct messages to it’s followers.  But first, they hack a twitter account and use that account to send out these messages.  The message contains a link to what looks like an IQ test website.

While IQ tests seem harmless, the last thing asked for in this particular test is no longer an answer but the respondent’s mobile number.  ”Users who give out their mobile phone numbers may end up being billed at least US $10.00 a month for text messages,” says KOMO News.  This attack signs up your mobile number to an auto-renewing subscription and is defined in the sites terms and conditions (small, hidden, fine print).

Twitter users should not click on unknown links or give out any private information.  If the quiz comes from someone you know, then a hacker has hijacked their twitter account.  If you think your account is compromised or is at risk of being compromised, change your password as soon as possible.

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