By Rebecca Johnson // Cyber Crimes // EEW Magazine Online

TikTok is not the only app with major security issues. Twitter is vulnerable too as evidenced by an ongoing bitcoin scam executed by savvy hackers targeting celebrities, influencers, and everyday people.

Award-winning media specialist, nonprofit founder, and Bible teacher Dianna Hobbs is the latest victim who found herself at the center of the internet scheme that resulted in her small, unverified @TeamDiannaHobbs page being temporarily hijacked by a hacker.

“The devil is so busy,” posted the 44-year-old on the evening of September 27—the same day she was able to recover the account after weeks of being locked out. “Someone hacked and stole my Twitter account and used it to promote Crypto Currency. Many thanks to @TwitterSupport for resolving this issue. Praise God that I get to encourage you again.”

Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency that is difficult to track. It is a new currency that was created in 2009 by an unknown person using the alias Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoins can be used to buy merchandise anonymously. Some people just buy bitcoins as an investment, hoping that they’ll go up in value, according to CNN Money.

EEW Magazine Online caught up with Ryan Phillips, Hobbs’ lead web specialist and technician for Hobbs’ multiple ministry brands, who said Hobbs’ tech department had updated and strengthened her passwords. “We’re also working to secure more potential online vulnerabilities,” Phillips added.

Hobbs’ other managed accounts are on Facebook (17k+ verified) and Instagram (1k + unverified).

Thankfully, once regaining control of Twitter, the social media manager for the ministry leader quickly deleted the bitcoin and cryptocurrency tweets. But, unfortunately, according to Hobbs, before @TwitterSupport clamped down on the hacker disguised under the alias Rahul, the cybercriminal wiped out hundreds of tweets previously posted by Hobbs.

“The hacker deleted years worth of tweets that were on this account, all the precious inspirations God placed on my heart for you,” wrote Hobbs who wasn’t happy about it. “The most recent tweets he left are from 2018. It’s disappointing. Yet, I trust that God causes everything to work together for our good.”

The best-selling author and writer of Your Daily Cup of Inspiration blog also apologized to her 2,500+ followers for the “inappropriate” tweets sent from her hacker. “If your timeline was bombarded with inappropriate tweets about cryptocurrency, I apologize. I had no control over this account,” explained Hobbs who regularly tweets out prayers, links to devotions and podcasts, and short, inspiring messages.

Twitter is no stranger to hacking.

The social media giant found itself in the middle of a scandal in 2020 as a teen hacker, Graham Ivan Clark, now convicted and sentenced to three years in prison, targeted verified Twitter accounts belonging to celebrities, politicians, and high-profile individuals like Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Kanye West, Michael Bloomberg and more. Clark tweeted about cryptocurrency and asked followers to send him bitcoin, promising to double the amount given and donate it shortly.

It’s clear that whether an influencer has a blue check or not, no social media platform is one hundred percent safe.

For now, Hobbs and her team are just glad to have ownership and control of @TeamDiannaHobbs back so they can all continue doing what they love—inspiring faith and encouraging hearts.

Rebecca Johnson is editorial director of EEW Magazine Online. Follow @beccatheeditor