As a seasoned cybersecurity researcher with over two decades of experience under my belt, I find myself continually amazed at the ingenuity and audacity of cybercriminals. The recent hacking of Sam Altman’s OpenAI X account is yet another example of how these malicious actors exploit trust and technology to swindle unsuspecting victims.
On Monday, someone managed to gain unauthorized access to Sam Altman’s OpenAI X account with the intention of perpetrating cryptocurrency fraud. The hacker falsely represented OpenAI and distributed a message promoting a non-existent token called $OPENAI, enticing people to visit a fake website where they were tricked into providing their crypto wallet login credentials.
OpenAI X Account Hacked in Cryptocurrency Scam
openai’s internal communication hub, formerly known as Twitter, was compromised, where they post updates about the company. A bogus tweet circulated, stating that a new blockchain token named “$OPENAI” had debuted, but this is unfounded and has no bearing on OpenAI.
As a crypto investor, I received a notification saying that all OpenAI users will have an opportunity to acquire a portion of the token, granting us early access to the forthcoming beta releases.
As a researcher, I’ve recently encountered an unsettling trend: my OpenAI account, like several others, has become the latest victim in a string of similar cyberattacks on this platform. Over the past few months, esteemed individuals within OpenAI such as our Chief Scientist, Jakub Pachocki, and researcher, Jason Wei, have also fallen prey to these attacks, with their accounts being misused to propagate identical cryptocurrency scams.
Details of the Phishing Scam
On @OpenAINewsroom at approximately 6:24 PM ET, a deceptive post surfaced. The post contained several errors, one of them being an incorrect spelling of Sam Altman’s OpenAI as $OPEANAI. Furthermore, the provided link was a phishing attempt that mimicked the genuine OpenAI website.
The webpage displayed a button labeled “CLAIM $OPENAI,” designed to deceive users into connecting their digital currency wallets. The post lacked a comment section, making it harder for users to identify the scam. Despite being removed, the fraudulent post remained visible for nearly an hour and could have been viewed by numerous followers.
These types of frauds often aim to gather users’ login details, thereby granting hackers control over the users’ digital currency accounts. Linking wallets to deceptive websites may result in stolen funds or disclosed private information.
Previous Incidents of OpenAI Account Breaches
In the last few months, Sam Altman’s OpenAI X account has been compromised, but it’s not an isolated incident. Over the past year, OpenAI has faced several cyberattacks where fraudsters have tried to pose as company representatives across various channels. For example, in June 2023, Mira Murati, the Chief Technology Officer of OpenAI, experienced a hack on her account as well. This unauthorized access led to the uploading of a bogus cryptocurrency scam that mirrored the one previously posted on the OpenAI newsroom account.
As a researcher, I’ve noticed that instances of cyberattacks are not uncommon for organizations like mine and even esteemed entities such as the World Health Organization and Yahoo News UK have experienced these threats. More specifically, these attacks often serve as a means for cybercriminals to lure their victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes, such as pump-and-dump tactics.
After admitting the security lapse, OpenAI (founded by Sam Altman) is currently looking into the situation. They strongly advise users to exercise caution and steer clear of any dubious posts or links promising free cryptocurrency.
It appears that the Advanced Voice Mode will roll out to some users on Tuesday, September 24, 2024!
— “Brian” (@Arktophylaxxx) September 23, 2024
In spite of the current security concerns, OpenAI continues to progress, unveiling its latest advancements. They are planning to debut an advanced voice function for ChatGPT, allowing users more sophisticated voice-based interaction options. This new aspect is designed to boost accessibility and broaden the ways people can interact with the AI assistant, enriching their experience.
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2024-09-24 05:38