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October 29, 2009

Posted: October 29th, 2009 04:50 PM ET

From CNN Audience Interaction Producer Eric Kuhn

Marco Rubio's Twitter account, which was hacked today.

Washington (CNN) – Two prominent Republicans had their Twitter accounts hacked on Wednesday. Florida Senate candidate Marco Rubio and Tennessee gubernatorial candidate Zach Wamp both fell victim to a "phishing attack" that urged their followers to visit a site hawking colon cleansing pills.

Followers of Rubio's Twitter feed saw this message on Wednesday afternoon: "lol it's amazing. look and feel great with http://cleansefats.com." An hour later, the real Rubio tweeted: "I got hacked selling something? Could be worse. They could have written Go Noles or Go Jets as if it was coming from me!" (Rubio is a Florida Gators and Miami Dolphins fan.)

Meanwhile, Wamp's Twitter account sent out "direct messages," which are not seen publicly but sent directly to followers. His message read: "hi. this works. i feel better and look great. http://bdgdfij.info." That link also re-directed readers to a site selling colon cleansing pills.

According to technology consultant Jon-David Schlough, a phishing attack is a type of hack "where an attacker masquerades as a trusted brand or person and fools the user into clicking. Once the user clicks, the attacker may take over their profile and spread the attack to their friends as well - or do other unfriendly things."

Rubio campaign spokesperson Alex Burgos told CNN that the candidate quickly changed his password. Wamp's campaign is still investigating what happened, but sent out a message on Twitter telling followers to disregard the direct message.

Filed under: Twitter

19 Comments | Permalink


Carnell From The Motor City!		October 29th, 2009 9:45 pm ET I Guess In A Word That The GOP Got Their Butts "WAMPED!" This And The Judge Dismissing The Frivolous Lawsuit Against President Obama Is The Best News Today. That And Good News About Our Country's GDP.

GI Joe		October 29th, 2009 9:07 pm ET They're just paranoid. Idiots that don't know what they're doing in the computer/technology world often blame it on something else. Typical republican with no knowledge of current technology.

17 year old American Citizen.		October 29th, 2009 9:03 pm ET haha fools.

dan smith		October 29th, 2009 8:37 pm ET obama's becoming more and more like Hitler every day. Wonder when he's going to have his Gestapo out in full force. Concentration camps coming to a town near you.

Peter s		October 29th, 2009 8:21 pm ET Good job whoever did it!!! Bravo,it should be hacked on daily basis!! and go astep further hack fox news and Limbaughs radio station!!

Mickey, NY		October 29th, 2009 8:07 pm ET Welcome to cyberspace...NOW GET OUT! GOP: Evolve or die...

Limbaugh is a liberal		October 29th, 2009 8:02 pm ET And why do republicans need colon cleansing pills in the first place? Because they are full of it!

Royster		October 29th, 2009 7:32 pm ET Let me get this straight...Rubio and Wamp got phished because THEY CLICKED on 'colon cleansing pills'?? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Just fell off the chair laughing..they deserved this! Or....try prunes guys! And of course...if GOP'ers are dumb enough to get their accounts hacked of course they blame the Dems.... Basic computer courses should be required of all members of the GOP.

James Michael Roberson		October 29th, 2009 7:31 pm ET I personally denounce any form of piracy or hacking. It does sound like they may need to learn how to avoid such attacks. I hope they are not in charge of our security.

m smith		October 29th, 2009 7:31 pm ET Probably two of the most truthful messages ever to come out of either twitter page.

Irish Pirate Eddie		October 29th, 2009 7:29 pm ET Wow, nice comments lefties, really shows tolerance, care and compassion... oh that's right, the same standards don't apply to you, Republicans are held to a much higher ltandard.

lasvegasrose		October 29th, 2009 7:19 pm ET "and away go troubles down the drain." hahaha

Deuce		October 29th, 2009 6:59 pm ET What a Twit...

HUM!!!		October 29th, 2009 6:49 pm ET It was Chris Christie ....He needs a good colon cleansing!!!

chad in seattle, wa.		October 29th, 2009 6:35 pm ET to malclave, your an idiot!

Phat Elvis		October 29th, 2009 6:24 pm ET Republicans could use a good mental enema...

Sniffit		October 29th, 2009 6:19 pm ET Can't imagine what they'd need colon cleansing for ... I'm pretty sure these two are sh–ting out of their mouths every time they open them. It's like political reverse peristalsis.

Susan		October 29th, 2009 5:52 pm ET Probably left their passwords on the nightstand.

malclave		October 29th, 2009 5:51 pm ET Democrats have a history of things like this, and can reasonably be labelled as the "party of identity theft". I'm sure that no true liberal cares, though, since they don't think Republicans deserve the protection of law.
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