Microsoft got hacked, and somehow Clippy ended up in a crypto scheme
Microsoft’s official X account was compromised this week in a security breach, with hackers using the platform to promote a cryptocurrency token. The compromised account followed another account and reposted messages requesting the return of Clippy, the company’s notorious virtual assistant that was discontinued years ago.
The attackers created a suspended account (@clippymsftcto) as part of the cryptocurrency scheme, weaponizing nostalgia for the iconic assistant to promote their token. While Microsoft has historically leaned into Clippy references with playful campaigns over the years, this incident represents a more serious breach of corporate security rather than a lighthearted callback.
The incident underscores the broader vulnerability of high-profile company accounts to coordinated attacks, and the willingness of bad actors to exploit cultural touchstones—even defunct ones—for financial gain. This represents both a security concern for Microsoft and a demonstration of how cryptocurrency promotion attempts continue to leverage any available vector, including compromised corporate accounts.