I thought I’d talk briefly today about something topical that doesn’t involve NotW, honest, and that might hopefully give a few of you out there some help.
There are lots of twitter hacks. The current one going around sends DMs from affected accounts offering $$$s for working from home. Hopefully everyone knows not to click on the links, which tbh, look so spammy that they shouldn’t catch many ppl out.
But in response to this, I’ve seen ppl pondering how their strong passwords have been hacked. I may be missing a trick, but that’s not usually how it works.
Usually hacks like this are to do with some application or other that you’ve authorised. That’s when you leave their page and go to twitter to let them have access – that access remains even when you come off the app. And if it’s a dodgy app, a few days later you’ll find yourself sending dodgy DMs.
The answer? Go through the apps you’ve authorised* every now and then, and wipe out anything that looks in the slightest bit dubious, or that you can’t remember, or just don’t want any more. And yes, changing your password won’t harm you, and it might complicate other ppl’s lives, so go ahead and do that too. And don’t use something easy. So there you go. Just be careful what you give access to your account, and twitter will be a safer place for all of us.
*Wondering where this is? On new twitter, go to your name in the top righthand corner. Click to get the dropdown, then click settings. The rightmost entry is applications, this gives you a list of what you’ve authorised. This is what it looks like for me, if that’s any help.
(Now, if that has helped you at all, for one day only, today (Mon 18th JulyETA voting extended until Tues 19th midday), if you’re reading this after then, don’t worry) I could do with your help back. Feel free to pop over to Three UK On the Go Mums and vote for my Family Quest app. If it wins, it gets developed, we all get to use it for free, my name and those of all my team will be in it, *and* we get a meal out to celebrate. How cool is that?)