Buffer Social Sharing App Suspends Service after Being Hacked

Social sharing app Buffer that can link to Facebook and Twitter has been hacked Saturday morning.

The company detected the hacking activity after it noticed that several numbers of users, including capitalist and blogger Fred Wilson, started posting spammed weight-loss links to both Facebook and Twitter. Other brands were also affected such as Genome, Turnstone and Brussels Airlines. Obviously, these people and brands would not want anything to do with weight-loss.

Buffer co-founder Leo Wildrich immediately apologized and suspended the service while they resolve the issue. The message was posted on the Buffer Facebook page saying “We greatly apologize for this big mess we’ve created. Buffer has been hacked.”

He also warned users to immediately change their Facebook passwords and to revoke any permission request from Buffer for the meantime. These steps will help stop the hackers from using the member’s social networking accounts from sending spammy weight-loss links. Afterwards, members have to manually delete the spam posts from its pages.

Buffer founder Joel Gascoigne also posted on the company blog an apology message and gave more details about the hacking incident.

“I wanted to post a quick update and apologize for the awful experience we’ve caused many of you on your weekend. Buffer was hacked around 2 hours ago, and many of you may have experienced spam posts sent from you via Buffer. I can only understand how angry and disappointed you must be right now,” Gascoigne wrote.

He then added that not all accounts were compromised but advised all members to check on their accounts. Passwords and billing information were not affected as well.

Buffer’s Facebook and Twitter functionalities were already restored but the company will be giving continuous updates through its social networking pages. They have already contacted the Facebook Integrity team to track the source of the hack.