[ABCNEWS.GO] The BBC came under attack from hackers sympathetic to Syrian President Bashar Assad on Thursday and warned its staff about attempts to compromise the broadcaster's email network."Mahmoud! Call up the 332nd Scriptkiddy Brigade!"
"Jawohl, your Immensity!"
Shortly after Assad supporters hijacked several BBC Twitter accounts to post messages that were by turns political, anti-Semitic and comical, the broadcaster said that "phishing" links -- typically fake emails aimed at stealing information -- are being sent around the BBC.
"If you receive these emails it is very important that you do not click on the link," the BBC said in an email to staff that was obtained by the Associated Press.
"If you do click on it everyone will know you're a dork."
It was not immediately clear if the Twitter hacks and phishing emails were related.
It was not immediately clear if Cesare and Lucretia were related.
The BBC's email to staff said the "phishing" emails contained what appeared to be links to The Guardian newspaper or Human Rights Watch online and bring users to a fake webmail portal.
When you go to click a link, hang your mouse over it for a second or two. The destination will be displayed in the lower left hand corner of your browser. If it's not what the message purports to be drop the message in the trash.
"It is very important that you do not enter your details into this page," the BBC email said, adding that the company has shut down non-authenticated webmail.