Vitalik Buterin describes hack of his X account

The recent hack of Vitalik Buterin’s X account occurred due to SIM swap. The Ethereum co-founder disclosed this on Warpcast, a new social network.

“My mobile operator, T-Mobile, has finally restored my account. Yes, it was a SIM swap — meaning someone using social engineering at T-Mobile took over my phone number,” the developer explained.

On September 10, unknown gained control over Vitalik Buterin’s X account and posted a scam post with phishing content. The estimated damage exceeded $691,000.

According to the Ethereum co-founder, to reset a password on X you only need access to the number. Even if it is linked to a two-factor authentication app, it can simply be detached from the account.

“In any case, glad to be on Farcaster, where restoring my account can be managed with a good and useful Ethereum address,” concluded Vitalik Buterin.

Warpcast is a decentralized social network built on the Farcaster protocol. Upon registration on the platform, a new unique wallet with its own seed phrase is created. The app is currently accessible only by invitation.

On June 2, attackers hacked the X account of OpenAI CTO Mira Murati to spread a fake coin airdrop.

In July, unknown hacked the Aptos blockchain account and posted links to a fake project site.

In the same month, unknown gained control of Hayden Adams’s X profile, founder of the decentralized exchange Uniswap.