It’s hacking season!
In a concerning turn of events for Cincinnati Bengals fans, star quarterback Joe Burrow’s X account has fallen victim to a cybersecurity breach.
A group of cryptocurrency scammers hijacked his profile to promote Solana, a cryptocurrency firm, by sharing a dubious link that encourages followers to create their own digital currencies. The unauthorized activity was first spotted by the X account “Bengalorian.”
This incident is part of a larger pattern where high-profile figures are being targeted. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and NBC journalist Peter King have suffered similar security breaches. The scammers have used personalized cryptocurrency tickers like “$JOEY” for Burrow and “$KING” for King, exploiting the trust and influence these individuals hold.
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Peter King’s X account was compromised in a similar manner, pushing the same Solana-related content with a tailored ticker. This breach was brought to attention by an account named Blake Allen Murphy, which alerted followers about the ongoing scam.
The situation escalated with Patrick Mahomes, whose charity account “15 and the Mahomies” was taken over just before a pivotal AFC-West game against the Raiders. The hacker, suspected to be a Raiders fan based in Las Vegas, posted inappropriate NSFW content and images of luxury cars, possibly aiming to unsettle the quarterback before the crucial match.
These hacking incidents highlight a rising threat of cyberattacks on prominent figures, exposing them to not only personal information risks but also the danger of their large followings being misled by scams.
In light of these breaches, cybersecurity experts are urging high-profile individuals to strengthen their digital defenses. Recommendations include adopting strong, randomly generated passwords and employing professional security teams to better protect their online presence.
