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Elon Musk’s X.com Twitter URL Change Raises Phishing Concerns
Elon Musk, the owner of X.com, has been making significant changes to the platform he purchased for $44 billion in 2022, formerly known as Twitter. One of the most recent changes involves replacing all references to Twitter.com with X.com without user consent. This alteration has sparked concerns among users and experts alike.
Challenges Identified by Mashable
Mashable first highlighted this alteration, noting that users on the iOS app began to see automatic changes from Twitter.com to X.com in their posts. This seemingly innocuous change led to unexpected results, as the altered URLs did not redirect users to the intended websites. For instance, a URL like “NetfliTwitter.com” would display as “Netflix.com,” but clicking on it would take users to “NetfliTwitter.com.”
This situation not only caused confusion but also created a potential goldmine for scammers. By acquiring domains similar to popular ones, scammers could mislead users into divulging sensitive information through phishing campaigns. The security implications of Musk’s URL replacement strategy became increasingly apparent.
User Vigilance and Proactive Measures
Some vigilant users, such as @yuyu0127_ and @amasato_mochi, took proactive steps to protect others. @yuyu0127_ preemptively purchased the NetfliTwitter.com domain to prevent malicious use. In a warning posted on X, @yuyu0127_ addressed the potential risks associated with the URL changes and urged caution in navigating unfamiliar links.
Similarly, @amasato_mochi acquired the domain “seTwitter.com,” which X was altering to “sex.com.” By redirecting this domain to a warning page, @amasato_mochi aimed to shield users from falling victim to phishing attempts. Both users underscored the importance of staying alert to potential dangers posed by altered URLs.
Reversal of Automatic Changes
Following user concerns and media attention, X reversed its automatic alteration of URLs from Twitter.com to X.com on iOS devices. While this change allayed some fears, Mashable highlighted that other modifications still persisted without providing specific examples. Attempts to seek clarification from X on these modifications went unanswered as of the time of writing.
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