OpenAI’s Twitter Account Hacked Again

OpenAI faced another security breach as one of its official Twitter accounts was compromised to promote a fake cryptocurrency. This incident marks the fourth time the ChatGPT developer has fallen victim to similar schemes, raising concerns about social media security for tech giants.

Details of the Latest Hack

The compromised account urged followers to claim a non-existent token known as $OPENAI, claiming it would “bridge the gap” between blockchain technology and AI. The now-deleted tweet read, “All OpenAI users are eligible to claim a piece of $OPENAI’s initial supply.” It misleadingly promised that claiming the tokens would grant buyers “access to all our future beta programs.”

A Deceptive Strategy

Comments on the fake posts were disabled, possibly to make the thread look less suspicious. The tweet linked to a malicious phishing website designed to mimic OpenAI’s official homepage. The targeted account, OpenAI Newsroom, had amassed 54,000 followers since its launch at the beginning of the month and focused on company product updates.

A Recurring Issue for OpenAI

This isn’t the first time OpenAI has faced such an attack. In June 2023, CTO Mira Murati’s account was compromised. The company’s chief scientist, Jakub Pachocki, suffered a similar breach in June 2024. More recently, OpenAI researcher Jason Wei’s Twitter account was hacked in September 2024. In each case, hackers posted messages promoting fake $OPENAI crypto tokens.

The Method Behind the Madness

These attacks often employ a “wallet drainer” tactic. Unsuspecting users are tricked into entering their wallet details, which are then used to drain valuables like cryptocurrencies or non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Despite OpenAI’s popularity among crypto scammers, the company has not publicly announced any crypto or blockchain-related projects at this time.

The Wider Problem of Social Media Hacks

High-profile Twitter hacks are not unique to OpenAI. Last week, Brazilian soccer star Neymar Jr., computer manufacturer Lenovo, and Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone all had their accounts hacked to promote a Solana-based memecoin dubbed $HACKED. In 2020, accounts belonging to President Barack Obama, Apple, Uber, and Kanye West were compromised in a massive Bitcoin scam.

The repeated hacking incidents highlight the pressing need for stronger security measures on social media platforms. Users should exercise caution and verify information through official channels before engaging with any cryptocurrency promotions. As cybercriminals continue to target prominent figures and organizations, enhancing cybersecurity protocols becomes ever more crucial.