A wave of confusion swept through X, formerly known as Twitter, this weekend as the account of Fox News host Greg Gutfeld became the target of a sophisticated phishing attack. The breach wasn't immediately apparent, but quickly unfolded as millions of followers received a startling direct message.
The message, sent to over three million users, falsely claimed Gutfeld needed votes to secure a co-hosting role on an upcoming entertainment show. Embedded within the message was a deceptive link, meticulously crafted to mimic a legitimate voting page – its true purpose was far more sinister: to steal login credentials.
The scam proved surprisingly effective, ensnaring even public figures. Actor and political commentator Rob Schneider publicly urged his followers to vote for Gutfeld, unwittingly amplifying the fraudulent message. His enthusiastic post, “PLEASE VOTE FOR GREG GUTFELD YOU CAN DO IT!!”, highlighted the scam’s reach and believability.
Fortunately, other prominent voices on the platform quickly recognized the deception. Influencers like Stephen L. Miller, Jarvis, Catturd, and Amuse immediately issued warnings to their followers, attempting to stem the tide of compromised accounts.
Miller’s observation cut to the heart of the issue, noting the predictable language used in the scam messages. He wryly commented that the hackers would need to refine their approach to target users who weren’t already familiar with the typical online communication style of those they were impersonating.
Gutfeld is widely known as a co-host of the popular program, *The Five*, and also helms his own late-night show, *Gutfeld!*. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the constant threat of online scams, even for high-profile individuals.
The incident underscores the importance of vigilance when encountering unsolicited links or requests for personal information online. Even seemingly legitimate messages from trusted sources can be compromised, highlighting the need for cautious skepticism in the digital age.
