Fox News reports Twitter hack to Secret Service

A Fox News Twitter feed was hacked and used to publish false items that President Obama had been killed.

(Credit: screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET)

Fox News has alerted the U.S. Secret Service that the cable news show's Twitter feed was used today to publish false reports that President Obama had been killed.

The attack apparently was complete about 11 p.m. PT Sunday night, when a tweet appeared that said, "Just regained full access to our Twitter and email. Happy 4th."

Shorly afterward came the first of several Obama-related tweets: "@BarackObama has just passed. The President is dead. A sad 4th of July, indeed. President Barack Obama is dead."

Nine hours later, the tweets are still live on the Twitter Web site. The attack was on a verified Twitter account, one that Twitter has verified to belong to a specific person or organization.

Fox News said it alerted the Secret Service, the organization responsible for the president's physical safety. Fox News also is holding Twitter's feet to the fire.

"We will be requesting a detailed investigation from Twitter about how this occurred, and measures to prevent future unauthorized access into FoxNews.com accounts," said Jeff Misenti, vice president and general manager of Fox News Digital, in the story.

It's possible, though, that Twitter wasn't responsible. For example, an attacker could have acquired a password by breaching Fox News itself, then simply logged on.

Twitter declined to comment beyond sharing its generic advice for keeping Twitter accounts secure.

A group called Script Kiddies claimed responsibility, the BBC reported, but its account has been disabled.

The move is one of a rash of online attacks in recent weeks.

Updated 8:55 a.m. PT with comment from Twitter.

A Fox News Twitter feed was hacked and used to publish false items that President Barack Obama had been killed.

(Credit: screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET)

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