Unauthorized crypto-related posts have appeared on Slash’s X (formerly Twitter) profile, as shown on his official account here.
The incident resembles a similar security breach Metallica experienced in 2022. The band addressed these concerns through an official statement on Facebook.
“In the wake of last week’s exciting news of our new song, new album, and new tour, unfortunately the ugly side of social media made an appearance,” Metallica stated. “Many of you have let us know about YouTube channels and live streams, as well as websites, claiming to offer Metallica Crypto giveaways in conjunction with last week’s announcement.”
“Let’s be as clear as possible. These are scams,” the band continued. “They’re being streamed on fake YouTube channels posing to be ours and all pointing to websites that we do not run. Please remember — all of our official social media channels are verified. Always look for official verification before believing something wild and crazy to be true.”
These incidents reflect a growing trend in cybersecurity threats targeting high-profile musicians and their social media presence.
Data from SlashNext’s State of Phishing Report revealed a 61% surge in phishing attacks during 2022. The total number of recorded incidents exceeded 255 million.
Social media-based attacks have intensified significantly. Research published by security experts documented a 141% rise in social engineering tactics on messaging platforms in recent months.
Cybersecurity specialists have noted increased sophistication in these attacks. Criminals now utilize trusted services like Microsoft and Google to host their threats. This strategy makes the attacks harder to detect and more convincing to potential victims.
The entertainment industry has emerged as a prime target for these scams. Celebrities’ extensive social media following makes them particularly attractive to cryptocurrency scammers seeking rapid access to large audiences.
