We have all developed little shortcuts for deciding whether something online looks legitimate.
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something → develop → shortcuts
You check the account name.
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You → check → name
You recognize the company logo.
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You → recognize → logo
Then you spot that verification badge and your guard comes down a little.
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guard → spot → badge
That can be exactly what scammers are counting on.
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scammers → count → what
Microsoft’s official X account became the latest reminder after attackers gained unauthorized access and used the account in an apparent cryptocurrency pump-and-dump scheme.
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attackers → become → scheme
The account has more than 13 million followers, giving whoever controlled it access to a huge audience and the credibility that comes with Microsoft’s name.
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that → have → name
Here is what happened, why compromised verified accounts can be so convincing and what you should check before trusting the next surprising post that shows up in your feed.
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that → happen → feed
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson shares practical ways to stay safer, smarter and more confident with technology.
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Knutsson → share → technology
Each class is free, easy to follow and comes with a free printable checklist .
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class → follow → checklist
See the classes and register at CyberGuyLive.com
How Microsoft's X account got pulled into a crypto scheme
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account → see → scheme
BleepingComputer reported that Microsoft's @Microsoft account followed and reposted content from another X account that appeared to be Clippy-themed.
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that → report → account
That account was promoting a cryptocurrency called $Clippy.
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account → promote → cryptocurrency
Microsoft tells CyberGuy that two unauthorized posts appeared during the period when its account was compromised.
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account → tell → period
According to the company, the first was a quote repost of content from what appeared to be a Clippy-themed account and referenced bringing back Microsoft Office's old animated paperclip character.
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what → accord → character
The second appeared to be an apology related to the earlier activity.
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second → appear → activity
Microsoft says neither post originated from the company.
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post → say → company
A Microsoft spokesperson provided CyberGuy with the following statement: "We have confirmed unauthorized access to our account on X, including posts that did not originate from Microsoft.
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that → provide → Microsoft
The account has been secured, the unauthorized posts have been removed, and we are continuing to investigate the circumstances.
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we → secure → circumstances
Why a verified account can make a scam much harder to spot
If an account you have never heard of suddenly tells you Microsoft launched a Clippy cryptocurrency, you might keep scrolling.
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you → verify → cryptocurrency
When Microsoft’s actual account appears to amplify that same message, it becomes much easier to hesitate.
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it → appear → message
You may assume someone at the company approved the post.
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someone → assume → post
You might click a link because you recognize the account.
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you → click → account
Someone interested in crypto could move even faster because they are worried about missing an opportunity.
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they → move → opportunity
That is the advantage attackers get when they compromise a well-known account.
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they → get → account
They inherit trust that has already been built for them.
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that → inherit → them
We recently saw the same basic weakness after hackers hijacked HBO Max’s verified Reddit account.
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hackers → see → account
Researchers found that attackers used the compromised account to push 108 malicious ads over roughly 48 hours.
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attackers → find → hours
Because those ads appeared under a familiar verified account, they had an extra layer of credibility.
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they → appear → credibility
Microsoft has dealt with a similar account takeover before
This is also not Microsoft’s first encounter with a crypto scam involving one of its X accounts.
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This → deal → accounts
In June 2024, scammers hijacked Microsoft India’s X account and used it to impersonate Keith Gill, better known online as Roaring Kitty.
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scammers → hijack → Kitty
The attackers then promoted what appeared to be a GameStop cryptocurrency presale.
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what → promote → ?
People who followed the link and connected their cryptocurrency wallets risked having their assets stolen through wallet-draining malware.
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assets → follow → malware
That example shows how quickly a social media takeover can turn into something much more expensive.
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takeover → show → something
The real danger often waits behind the link.
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danger → wait → link
Even the SEC’s official X account was hijacked
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account → hijack → ?
One of the clearest examples happened in January 2024 when attackers took over the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s official X account.
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attackers → happen → account
The compromised account falsely announced that the SEC had approved spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds.
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SEC → compromise → funds
According to the Justice Department, Bitcoin jumped by more than $1,000 following the false post.
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Bitcoin → accord → post
After the SEC regained control and corrected the announcement, Bitcoin fell by more than $2,000.
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Bitcoin → regain → 2,000
…and 47 more, not listed.
The Aporia
