Tweet Tornado Enables Spammers to Create Innumerable Fake Twitter Profiles

Although Twitter doesn't involve in making any money, spammers continue to utilize it for making benefits from micro-blogging service.

According to security experts and bloggers, the new application "Tweet Tornado" (TT) is a software that facilitate scammers to set up unlimited number of Twitter accounts, add infinite number of followers and send similar updates to several accounts through proxy servers. In fact, this software allows users to trace a targeted audience on Twitter.

Thus, Tweet Tornado is specifically designed to send unsolicited messages to unsuspecting users at Twitter and enable malware distributors and spammers to sustain with their malicious activities.

Signing up at Twitter is comparatively easier from other online services as it doesn't require e-mail verification, implying users can open accounts at the site without providing valid e-mail ID. Hence, a malicious user can create any number of fake Twitter profiles in few minutes. This makes identification of a new Tweeter user very difficult whether he is a real person or a spam king.

However, security experts reveal that sending spam through e-mail is much easier than distributing spam in Twit-o-sphere. A Twitter user can only receive unsolicited messages if he gets updates from a fake profile. Here plays Tweeter Tornado critical role by suggesting user that problem could be solved through "hot chick" picture on the profile.

Recently, a proof of concept profile was set up using Tweet Tornado and discovered by ZDNet. The objective of experiment was to demonstrate that a bogus profile "AarensAbritta" gained more than 400 followers in few hours. With rising multiplication, the malware distribution and spamming also surge, said security experts.

Ian Paul, a Blogger, in his blog post on PCWorld on February 6, 2009, said that the company would integrate more identity verification systems in its infrastructure to devoid spammers from exploiting the service provided Twitter continue to grow in popularity. Until then, Twitter will remain a heaven for spammers. Thus, be very careful and keep noticing activities around the Twitter account, particularly when a hot chick with an attractive name following you; think twice before replying.

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» SPAMfighter News - 2/19/2009