Twitter Warns Users Their Accounts May Have Been Hacked By The Government

For the very first time, Twitter is sending out word of warning to an unknown number of its users that their accounts might have been under attack by certain "state-sponsored actors."

The social media company reportedly emailed users a statement indicating that hackers working in behalf of a nation-state are possibly stealing users' important details, including phone numbers, email addresses and IP addresses.

A Canadian nonprofit organization, Coldhak, that has been given a warning statement posted a copy of the email over the microblogging service.

"We believe that these actors (possibly associated with a government) may have been trying to obtain information such as email addresses, IP addresses and/or phone numbers," reads the e-mail sent to Coldhak.

While Twitter indicated that it has no proof as of the moment that the hackers have gained illegal access into Coldhak's account information, it, nevertheless, highlighted that it is actively focusing on the matter.

"We wish we had more we could share," says Twitter's message. "[B]ut we don't have any additional information we can provide at this time."

Emails from the social networking site went on to say that users should take necessary precautions to steer clear their accounts from possible security breaches. It even recommended a link to information on a software allowing for anonymous communication over the Web - the Tor.

Security researchers and journalists also tweeted on receiving similar email warning from Twitter.

A cybersecurity expert working with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington D.C., James Lewis, is convinced that these cybercriminals who are working in the interest of a nation-state seem more dangerous than criminal hacker gangs as they boast bigger resources. According to Lewis, these hackers could use measures like communications intercepts or human agents to gain illegal access into their targets' accounts.

Meanwhile, IT professionals think that North Korean and Chinese governments are the ones responsible of compromising companies and government in the West.

In an incident which compromised the computer network of Sony last year, which leaked out a considerable amount of confidential files, experts feel sure that the North Korean state gave assistance to the hackers.

Not much is known yet about this matter as Twitter has yet to release its official word.

Below is the actual tweet posted by Coldhak.