There are certain faked Twitter websites that send messages, which lure Twitter users to log in their accounts. In this method, their log-in information is also disclosed. It was discovered that the accounts of the users were used to distribute spam advertisements of penis pill sites and other websites of related nature. This had led victims, including well-known figures like cabinet minister Ed Miliband and the online bank First Direct, into a compromising situation due to this mortifying scheme.

 

Prevention for the increasing phishing attacks

 

According to a blog posted by Twitter on Tuesday, the microblogging service created a new URL service (twt.tl). This is where the direct messages sent to Twitter will be forwarded. Thus, the attacks will be defeated because the recently-created URL will hold the list of all the URLs, which have are linked to the illegal acquisition of personal information of the service’s users.

 

The Twitter’s latest security update works by stopping the malicious links from spreading all over the social networking service. And, if Direct Messages or email notifications are received, the users will remain fully protected even if the said links are accessed.

 

Prevalence of online attacks

 

There has been an evident increase in the social networking spam and malware attacks last year. According to Sophos, a net security firm, the rise in the spams and attacks was approximately 70 percent. Popular social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, became the preferred targets of Web 2.0 spammers and attackers. Sophos made a presentation, which reveals the latest method of phishing in Twitter.

 

Users are always on the tight spot

 

It is true that these attacks have severe effects on the users of the microblogging service. The users may encounter troublesome and humiliating situations when they become victims of these vicious attacks. However, the victims should be more concerned about the greater dangers, which are offered by these phishing attacks. The users are in a larger risk since they have the habit of using their twitter log-in information for their more private webmails and online banking accounts and these can be stolen during the attacks.