Crypto Chaos: Milwaukee Airport’s X Account Flooded After Security Breach
Another day, another hack—only this time, the target wasn't a DeFi protocol or a hot wallet. It was an airport's social media feed.
Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport watched its official X account transform into a crypto-pumping billboard overnight. Unauthorized posts promoting digital assets flooded the timeline, turning travel updates into unsolicited financial advice.
The New Attack Surface
Forget complex smart contract exploits. This breach highlights a simpler, more embarrassing vulnerability: centralized social media accounts with weak security. It's a stark reminder that in the rush to digitize, foundational cybersecurity often gets left on the tarmac. The attackers didn't need to crack a private key—just a password.
Signal in the Noise
While the incident is a PR nightmare for the airport, it underscores crypto's relentless, often clumsy, push into the mainstream consciousness. The very attempt to hijack a public institution's voice for promotion speaks to the asset class's perceived marketing power—and the desperation of some of its bad actors.
It's the digital equivalent of graffiti, but instead of spray paint, they're using shill posts. One can only imagine the meeting where someone thought, 'Forget Super Bowl ads—let's just hack the Milwaukee airport.'
A Costly Distraction
For traditional finance skeptics, this is a gift. It perfectly fits the narrative of a chaotic, unregulated space disrupting orderly systems. They'll use it as proof that crypto brings nothing but risk and noise—never mind that legacy bank hacks siphon off billions more quietly each year.
The cleanup is straightforward: reset credentials, delete the spam, issue an apology. But the reputational stain for both the airport and the broader crypto ecosystem lingers. It reinforces the tired association between digital assets and illicit activity, setting back legitimate institutional adoption efforts.
In the end, the hack achieved little beyond free, negative publicity. A cynical finance veteran might call it a perfect metaphor for half the projects in the space: all hype, no substance, and ultimately, a net drain on everyone's time.
Hackers promote crypto on the stolen page
The scammers changed the handle of the verified MKE – Milwaukee Airport X page. The hacked account is now called @TheHodaLaw, featuring the Hoda Law Firm in its profile picture and a cover photo that links to the Hoda website.
The scammers even pinned a message warning of crypto fraud and promising to help victims recover their funds. The message included a strong call to action, followed by a private message button.
The official website of Milwaukee airport had a LINK that directed users to a “This Account Doesn’t Exist” page on X. The real X account handle was @mitchellairport.
Harold Mester, public affairs director for Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, told WISN 12 News that they reported the issue to X and are waiting for access to be restored.
Mester said their security team is reviewing the situation and might contact law enforcement if needed.
The real Hoda Law Firm responds
The Hoda Law Firm, whose name appeared on the suspected hacked page, responded to local news outlets. Marshal Hoda, the owner of the law firm, said he does not know what occurred.
The law firm, located in Texas, focuses on recovering funds from crypto scams. It had filed lawsuits on behalf of victims of crypto scams against foreign hackers.
Hoda concluded that an opponent might have done this. He said, “This has nothing to do with our firm and urge everyone to stay away — these are presumably scammers trying to trade on my firm’s hard-earned reputation to take more money from scam victims.”
The firm’s homepage added a warning about the impersonation incident.
Cybersecurity researchers advise users against interacting with the hacked page until the issue is resolved.
Crypto hackers continue to target major X accounts
Over the years, crypto hackers have taken over many verified X accounts to spread bitcoin scams.
In December, the X account of SimpleX Chat was hacked. The hackers used the compromised account to push a fake site that tricks users into linking their crypto wallets.
SimpleX reported that the attackers used the “delegate” feature on X to give third-party profiles posting rights on business accounts.
The hacker joined the @SimpleXChat account. Soon after, a post appeared promoting a fake program named “Perpetuals Early Access” with a link to a fake website.
The post invited users to join as founding members of a permanent communication network. The aim was to get users to click a “Connect Wallet” button, copying legitimate Web3 projects.
SimpleX restored access to the X account. Community members reported the fake post before it was deleted. Evgeny Poberezkin, the founder of SimpleX, said the attackers blocked his personal account during the breach to prevent public warnings.
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