The Public Persona as an Attack Vector
For many, an X (formerly Twitter) account is a central part of their professional or public identity. However, because X is a public-facing platform, it provides attackers with a wealth of information that can be used to craft sophisticated phishing attacks. A compromise of an X account can lead to reputational damage, the spread of misinformation under your name, and the exposure of private conversations in your Direct Messages (DMs).
1. Hardening Your Account
The Gold Standard: Multiple Security Keys
X has improved its security significantly by allowing users to register multiple physical security keys (like YubiKeys). The Strategy: Enable "Two-factor authentication" and select "Security key." Ideally, you should register at least two keys—one for daily use and one stored in a safe as a backup. This is the only method that effectively neutralizes "Man-in-the-Middle" phishing attacks.
Action: Navigate to Settings and privacy > Security and account access > Security > Two-factor authentication.
Password Reset Protection
By default, an attacker who knows your email or phone number can attempt to reset your password. X offers an additional layer of defense called "Password reset protection." The Rule: When enabled, this requires you to confirm your email address or phone number before a password reset request can even be sent. This prevents an attacker from spamming you with reset codes or attempting to exploit a vulnerable recovery method.
Scoping Your Sessions
X allows you to stay logged in on many devices simultaneously. Each "session" is a potential entry point if a device is stolen or a browser is compromised. Action: Periodically review your "Apps and sessions." Revoke access for any old phones, browsers, or third-party apps (like old tweet schedulers or analytics tools) that you no longer use.
2. Failsafe Recovery Preparation
The Criticality of Backup Codes
When you enable MFA on X, you are provided with a single, unique Backup Code. This code is the only way to access your account if you lose your phone and your security keys. The Strategy: This is not a digital file. You should print this code and store it in a physical safe. Do not store it in your DMs, your email, or a cloud-synced notes app.
Email Security as Account Security
Your X account is only as secure as the email address linked to it. If an attacker compromises your email, they can often bypass other security measures through the recovery flow. Ensure your linked email is hardened with its own hardware-based MFA.
3. Protecting Your DMs and Privacy
- DM Requests: Be extremely wary of links sent via DMs, even from accounts you follow. Accounts are frequently hacked to spread malicious links to their followers.
- Data Privacy: Review what information you are sharing publicly. Your location, your birthday, and your professional history can all be used to bypass security questions on other websites.
For more information on the underlying principles, see our articles on MFA Fundamentals and Password Security.
Why This Matters
The Importance of MFA
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is your strongest defense against account takeover. Even if a physical or digital attacker obtains your password, MFA provides a critical second layer of defense that is much harder to bypass. Learn more about MFA best practices.
Unique, Strong Passwords
Never reuse passwords across different services. If one service is breached, every other account using that same password becomes vulnerable to "credential stuffing" attacks. Every online service should have its own unique, long, and complex password managed by a reputable password manager. Learn why unique passwords are critical.