Syrian Hackers May Be Behind the CBS Twitter Account Attack

Suspicion for the recent hacking of several CBS Twitter (News - Alert) accounts is being directed toward Syrian hacking activists.

No suspect was identified by authorities, but several news outlets note similarities between these attacks and those involving a group known as the Syrian Electronic Army.

The Syrian Electronic Army also claimed responsibility for the Twitter attacks, The Independent reported.

The group posted a statement on its website, “The Syrian Electronic Army hacked today several Twitter accounts of CBS-American Network and published thought it the truth.”

The recently-hacked Twitter accounts include those for 60 Minutes, 48 Hours, and a local Denver CBS station.

One of the Tweets read "new evidence of CIA arming Al Qaeda terrorists in #Syria." Another Tweet from the hackers suggested the U.S. government was “hiding the real culprit of the Boston bombing.” Also, a Tweet read, “The US government is sponsoring a coup in Venezuela and a terrorist war in Syria.” In addition, "Obama wants to destroy the Syrian and American people. We must stop this beast," another Tweet read. Also, one read, “Exclusive: Terror is striking the #USA and #Obama is Shamelessly in Bed with Al-Qaeda.”

And a Tweet alleged that President Barack Obama is attempting to “take away your guns.” Some of the Tweets were anti-Semitic, too, The Independent reported.

The Tweets were believed to have been removed by the company shortly after they appeared on Saturday. The accounts were also suspended.

“Some of the tweets linked to malicious websites, so it's probably a good thing that Twitter has (temporarily at least) suspended the @60Minutes account,” advised a report from Naked Security.

The Syrian Electronic Army may have also attacked Twitter accounts belonging to the BBC, NPR (News - Alert) and Reuters over the last year.

As of Monday, CBS and Twitter were investigating the recent hacking attack.

The Syrian Electronic Army supports embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, The Independent reported.

Last year, Anonymous reportedly hacked the CBS company website.