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

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • 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.