The microblogging site Twitter has issued email warnings to several users following a possible 'state-sponsored' hacking attack. This is the first instance a social networking site has published such notice.

Twitter sent out emails to its users that some 'state-sponsored actors' are allegedly trying to acquire their confidential data. One of the users warned is Winnipeg-based nonprofit organziation Coldhak, which shared Twitter's email in their account. "We believe that these actors (possibly associated with a government) may have been trying to obtain information such as email addresses, IP address, and/or phone numbers," the email stated.

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"At this time, we have no evidence they obtained your account information, but we're actively investigating this matter. We wish we had more we could share, but we don't have any additional information we can provide at this time."

The said phishing attack is purportedly connected with the government. Twitter said it is committed to thoroughly investigating the matter.

All users involved were sent an email notification. The email included links to the "Tor Project", which can aid users to protect themselves from network surveillance and traffic analysis. The email also included tips entitled "Protecting yourself on social networks" by the Surveillance Self-Defense. 

On Thursday, Twitter confirmed that the threat was legitimate but made clear that "we have no evidence they obtained your account information, but we're actively investigating [the] matter."

State-sponsored attacks are highly complex and are performed for either undercover work or steal intellectual properties or sensitive information. With most Twitter accounts set for public viewing, experts suggest that phishers are after personal data. Most of the users who tweeted to have received the notification were activists, journalists and cryptographers.

Other social media outlets like Google and Facebook have already setup warning systems to notify users who are subject to targets of state-sponsored hacking.

TagsCyberattack, state-sponsored hackers