Thousands of members of social networking site Twitter are being hit by scammers posing as friends, with the aim of to stealing their passwords.Users of Twitter, such as wit Stephen Fry, have received messages that appear to be from friends inviting them to visit a website.
The links go to a fake login page - which then allows the "phishers" to steal the users login details and passwords if they enter that information.
Internet Security firm Sophos has said that the hazard was increased because so many people use the same password for several websites.
Hackers use stolen account information for spam and identity theft. Some messages offer a complimentary Apple iPhone if users click on a link which then prompts them to enter user names passwords and mobile phone numbers.
Stephen Fry unwittingly clicked on one of the bogus messages, as he revealed on his twitter account:
"Lawks. Hope I haven't been phished for all my details. Clicked on scam URL last night before I knew what it was. Eeek"
Twitter users who think they have been affected by the scam are advised to change their passwords as a matter of urgency.
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