Viz Media Security Incident: Hacked Twitter Account Spreads Crypto Ads

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Viz Media's official X/Twitter account was unlawfully accessed. According to the company, technical measures are currently being taken to restore control over the profile.

The hacked account temporarily displayed only a period as its name and showed no profile picture.

In the interim, posts related to cryptocurrency and a "$VIZ" digital token were published, which were later deleted. Although a token with that name exists, Viz Media stated that it has no connection to the company.

Security Breaches on Social Media Accounts Lead to Targeted Misinformation

The attack on the X/Twitter account began on Monday, when unauthorized posts about blockchain technology and the $VIZ token appeared. These contained references to an alleged investment project, which is not associated with Viz Media.

Concurrently, the hacked profile shared posts from the official X/Twitter channels "Safety" and "Engineering," suggesting a deliberate attempt to mislead followers. Technical experts suspect that the attackers gained access through phishing or weak credentials.

On Tuesday morning, a regular post about the manga series Firefly Wedding appeared, which may have been scheduled before the attack. At the same time, Viz Media published the same post on Facebook, where no further anomalies have been registered since Monday. The discrepancy between the platforms underscores the selective nature of the attack.

Industry-Wide Security Risks

In a parallel incident, a Crunchyroll spokesperson confirmed last Friday that login data for several streaming services, including Crunchyroll, had been posted on social media. "The affected accounts were immediately secured, and no further data leaks have been identified," the statement said.

The incidents at Crunchyroll and Viz Media raise questions about the cybersecurity of company profiles, especially in the entertainment sector.

Viz Media, known for digital manga services like "Viz Manga" and "Shonen Jump," expanded in 2023 with an offering of over 10,000 chapters from publishers Shogakukan and Shueisha.

The service, which is exclusively available in the US and Canada for $1.99 per month, is considered a strategic growth area. However, the recent security issues could undermine confidence in digital platforms.

Summary and Outlook

The incident highlights the ongoing vulnerability of social media accounts despite technical advances. "The security of our communication channels is a top priority, and we are working closely with platform operators to minimize future risks," a Viz Media representative said via email.

While the immediate consequences appear limited, it remains to be seen how the industry will respond to the increasing cyber threats—particularly in the context of cryptocurrencies and digital advertising.

Source: Public Social Media Posts