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Report: Malware Spreading on Twitter Via Goo.gl Links

 & Chloe Albanesius Executive Editor, News

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Seeing Goog.gl links pop up on your Twitter feed? Don't click on them; they might direct you to malicious sites.

A number of tweets containing only the link "goo.gl/R7f68″ are showing up on Twitter, but clicking the link will direct users to malware-laden sites, according to The Next Web. As the blog notes, that link has shown up in other number configurations, however, so best not to click on any suspicious links at the moment.

In a recent update, The Next Web said the attackers apparently took over a French furniture Web site and loaded forwarding scripts, which take users to the malicious sites. The attack is also apparently showing up in links that promise an easy way to keep track of people who follow and unfollow you on Twitter, so beware.

At this point, a search on Twitter for "goo.gl/R7f68" mostly turns up tweets from people warning others not to click on tweets with that link.

Later in the day, Twitter said via its @safety feed that "We're pushing password resets to users affected by an off-Twitter attack; please check oAuth connections and revoke any you didn't approve!"

Editor's Note: This story was updated at 6:15pm Eastern with comment from Twitter.

About Our Expert

Chloe Albanesius

Chloe Albanesius

Executive Editor, News

My Experience

I started out covering tech policy in DC for The National Journal, where my beat included state-level tech news and all the congressional hearings and FCC meetings I could handle. I later covered Wall Street trading tech before switching gears to consumer tech. I now lead PCMag's news coverage.

My Areas of Expertise

Getting my start in DC means I still have a soft spot for tech policy; Congressional hearings can sometimes be as entertaining as a Bravo reality show, for better or worse. But PCMag is all about the technology we use every day, as well as keeping an eye out for the trends that will shape the industry in the years ahead (or flop on arrival). I've covered the rise of social media, the iOS vs. Android wars, the cord-cutting revolution that's now left us with hefty streaming bills, and the effort to stuff artificial intelligence into every product you could imagine. This job has taken me to CES in Vegas (one too many times), IFA in Berlin, and MWC in Barcelona. I also drove a Tesla 1,000 miles out west as part of our Best Mobile Networks project. Of late, my focus is on our hard-working team of reporters at PCMag, guiding and editing their robust coverage.

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