05 July,2011 07:34 AM IST | | Agencies
Hackers hijack news channel's Twitter page, post false messages of US President Barack Obama's assassination in Iowa restaurant
The Twitter account of the American Fox News politics team was compromised and used to falsely announce the death of the US president.
US President Obama greets well-wishers at Fort McNair in Washington yesterday
Hackers, who identified themselves as The Script Kiddies and said they shared the spirit of prominent hacking group Anonymous, used the account to write, "BREAKING NEWS: President @BarackObama assassinated, 2 gunshot wounds have proved too much. It's a sad 4th for #america. #obamadead RIP".
In another tweet they wrote, "#ObamaDead, it's a sad 4th of July. RT to support the late president's family, and RIP. The shooter will be found".
The hackers added, "@BarackObama shot twice at a Ross' restaurant in Iowa while campaigning. RIP Obama, best regards to the Obama family."
In a stream of messages sent over several hours beginning on Sunday night, the hackers said, "We wish @joebiden the best of luck as our new President of the United States.
In such a time of madness, there's light at the end of tunnel", and "@BarackObama has just passed. Nearly 45 minutes ago, he was shot twice in the lower pelvic area and in the neck; shooter unknown. Bled out".
The @FoxNewsPolitics account now has more than 34,000 followers, and the messages have been widely
retweeted.
A group calling themselves the The Script Kiddies claimed responsibility and threatened more embarrassment for Fox News in the future.
"I would consider us to be close in relation to Anonymous, two of the members of our group were members of Anonymous.
u00a0
I was a member of Anonymous", one alleged hacked told Think, adding "We hope to be working with them soon."
The hacker claimed, "Fox News was selected because we figured their security would be just as much of a joke as their reporting."
The rogue tweets began after the hackers sent a message saying Fox had just 'regained full access to our Twitter account'. Initially they were directed to the President's official Twitter feed.
Fox News' Take
"Reports of President Obama's assassination are incorrect, of course, and the president is spending the July 4 holiday with his family. The hacking is being investigated, and FoxNews.com regrets any distress the false tweets may have created," a statement from the network said.
