X (formerly Twitter) suffered major outages on Monday, with thousands of users unable to access the platform. Elon Musk later claimed the disruption was caused by a “massive cyberattack,” sparking concerns over cybersecurity threats.
According to Downdetector, outage reports for X peaked at over 40,000. Users experienced issues with loading posts, sending messages, and logging in. The disruptions lasted several hours before service gradually resumed.
Musk took to X to claim the platform was targeted by a “large, coordinated group and/or a country.” In an interview with Fox Business, he mentioned that some of the attackers’ IP addresses were traced to the “Ukraine area.” However, cybersecurity experts warn that these IP addresses may not indicate the actual source of the attack, as hackers often use botnets to mask their locations.
Security researchers, including Kevin Beaumont, suggest the attack was linked to a Mirai botnet variant, often used to hijack internet-connected devices. Cyber operations expert Nicholas Reese believes the attack was unlikely to be the work of a nation-state, given its brief duration and limited impact.
X has not provided detailed technical insights into the attack, but experts recommend users take extra precautions, such as enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) and staying alert for potential phishing attempts.
As X works to strengthen its cybersecurity measures, questions remain about whether this attack signals a larger threat to social media platforms. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.