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The OpenAI CTO's Twitter Account Hacked in a Cryptocurrency Scam

Mita Murati, the CTO of OpenAI, was the victim of a phishing scheme, which resulted in the compromising of her verified Twitter account. The hacker used this vulnerability to advertise a cryptocurrency airdrop to Murati's followers. The event emphasizes the significance of strong cybersecurity measures and awareness in the bitcoin field.

The Phishing Scam and its Impact:

The Phishing Scam and Its Impact: The scammer used Murati's stolen Twitter account to tweet a link to a fake website providing a bogus free airdrop of OPENAI tokens, which was falsely affiliated with OpenAI, the AI startup powering ChatGPT. The tweet received a lot of attention, reaching over 79,000 people before being deleted. The phony website looked similar to a legitimate initiative named ChainGPT, but it was designed to trick users into connecting their crypto wallets and signing bogus requests, allowing the attacker to drain their cash and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). A security researcher from Beosin, a blockchain security business, warned of the hazards posed by the scammer's wallet emptying kit.


OpenAI's Commitment to AI-Driven Cybersecurity:

OpenAI's Commitment to AI-Driven Cybersecurity: This incident coincides with the introduction of a $1 million award programme for AI-driven cybersecurity initiatives by OpenAI. The business intends to employ artificial intelligence to automate and improve different aspects of cybersecurity, such as vulnerability patching, social engineering attack prevention, and user education. Such efforts are critical in dealing with the growing threat landscape and protecting digital assets.


The Perpetrator and the Wider Scam Landscape:

Pink Drainer, a form of "malware-as-a-service" that simplifies the construction of malicious site hosting, orchestrated the attack on Murati's Twitter account, according to security expert Scam Sniffer. According to reports, these businesses charge a percentage of the stolen assets, which can reach up to 30%. Pink Drainer has significantly increased its activities, resulting in over $1.8 million in losses across more than 500 people since May 30.


The hacking of OpenAI CTO Mita Murati's Twitter account to promote a crypto hoax serves as a reminder of the digital landscape's vulnerabilities. As the popularity of cryptocurrencies grows, so does the risk of phishing scams and fraudulent activity. Individuals and organizations must be vigilant, install strong security measures, and stay up to date on the latest cybersecurity practices. OpenAI's commitment to harnessing AI for cybersecurity breakthroughs is a step in the right direction, but industry collaboration is required to tackle fraudsters' ever-evolving techniques.


This blog was written by the Activated Solutions team. If you are a business owner or an individual concerned about your cybersecurity, it's time to take action. Activated Solutions can help you to protect your business and personal data from potential cyber threats.


Contact Activated Solutions today to learn more about how they can help you protect your business. With our expertise and commitment to cybersecurity, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are taking proactive steps to protect yourself and your business from potential data breaches.


For more information, please visit: activatedsolutions.ca.


Sources

Torpey, Kyle. “OpenAI CTO's Twitter Account Hacked to Promote Crypto Scam.” Yahoo Finance, 5 June 2023, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/openai-ctos-twitter-account-hacked-024415312.html. Accessed 6 June 2023.

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