Earlier this week Twitter sent out a memo to news outlets, suggesting ways in which they could keep their accounts safe from hackers — but the official account for E! Online appears to have been hacked nonetheless. Earlier today, the account — which goes under the handle @eonline — posted several tweets attributing false statements to Justin Bieber. The Twitter account is currently suspended.
E! Online struck by hackers days after Twitter warns of ongoing threats (update)
According to retweets and images currently circulating, a later tweet from @eonline named the Syrian Electronic Army as the party responsible for the self-described troll. A group going by the same name has claimed to be behind the takeover of several other high-profile Twitter accounts and websites, including ones connected to NPR, CBS, and The Guardian. Twitter’s warning earlier this week was seen as a response to recent attacks; today’s incident just underscores the need for stricter security measures — not to mention a two-factor authentication method for Twitter itself— that much more.
Update: The E! News Twitter account has now confirmed the attack.
Our account @eonline has been compromised and some incorrect information was sent out. We're working with Twitter now to fix this.
— E! News (@ENews) May 4, 2013
Update 2: E! Online’s Twitter account is now back online.
This account @eonline was compromised and some incorrect information was sent out. We're working with Twitter now to fix this.
— E! Online (@eonline) May 4, 2013
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