Twitter Hackers Serving Up Extra Large Combos with Burger King

Twitter Hackers Serving Up Extra Large Combos with Burger King

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Mar 11, 2013

Wouldn’t it be nice to log into Twitter and see an extra 60,000 followers? That’s exactly what happened to Burger King: people began following their account by the tens of thousands. Were they giving away Whoppers? Nope. Hmmm, something seemed a little fishy…fishier than Burger King’s Premium Alaskan Fish Sandwich. Where did all these new followers come from?

Come to find out, Burger King’s Twitter account had been hacked. Before their account was compromised, Burger King had about 50,000 followers but after being hacked, the followers increased to more than 110,000.

It was unclear who was responsible for the hack, but it did demonstrate how quickly a company’s outreach to their loyal fans can turn into an embarrassing situation. At one point, Burger King’s profile message said that they had been sold to McDonald’s, obviously a direct competitor, because the Whopper, Burger King’s flagship sandwich, had flopped.

At another point during the account hacking, McDonald’s tweeted: “We empathize with our @BurgerKing counterparts. Rest assured, we had nothing to do with the hacking.”

So, how did the hijacking happen? To my knowledge, no official reports have been released; however, remember how Twitter is accessed with a username and password? Well, if a person’s computer is infected with malicious software, it is easy for hackers to hijack accounts. Not saying that this is what happened, but it could be one plausible explanation.

Other social media platforms (Facebook and YouTube) offer two-factor authentication, providing greater security because it requires something in addition to a password, like a code sent by text message to a registered mobile device. If Twitter had this type of authentication, hackers would have been forced to get past two layers of security instead of only one.

We may never know the truth as to how or who actually hacked into Burger King’s Twitter account; however, one truth we do know is social media security is a huge issue that can cause major problems.

(Reference: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57569911/burger-king-twitter-hacked-posting-under-mcdonalds/) 

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.