Cybersecurity
Hackers exploit Meta AI support chatbot to hijack Instagram accounts
Image: Primary Instagram has resolved a security issue that allowed several users accounts to get hacked. The attack involved tricking Metas AI-powered support chatbot into granting access to a victims account.
Several users reported on Reddit and on X that their Instagram accounts were compromised over the weekend. The affected accounts included the Instagram handle for the Obama-era White House, which has been inactive since 2017, and the account of U.S. Space Force chief master sergeant John Bentivegna. Security researcher Jane Wong said her Instagram account was also taken over.
Wong said the password got changed without her knowledge and she received different password reset attempts throughout the previous day. A video posted on X showed the step-
The chatbot sent a verification code to the email address supplied
Instagram spokesperson Andy Stone said Monday in replies to posts about the issue that it has been fixed. It is unclear how many Instagram users had their accounts accessed improperly. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Sources
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