Spam messages are circulating that claim to contain links to websites that will help Twitter users to increase their number of followers for free.

Instead, the links connect to a phishing page where cybercriminals steal victims' Twitter logins to use them to generate more spam, says security firm eSoft.

The cybercriminals are using a variety of URL shortening services to prevent spam detection on Twitter, said Lee Graves, senior technical support engineer at eSoft.

The shortened links lead to phishing pages capturing the users' Twitter login. The compromised accounts are then used to send more spam and lure in more unsuspecting users.

With a growing number of third-party sites and services available to support Twitter users, they should not give out login information without first verifying the legitimacy of Twitter applications and websites, said Graves.

"Users should look closely at their URL bar to be sure they are on Twitter's site before entering their login credentials," he said.

Twitter users should change their login details if they receive any spam messages promising to increase follower numbers, said Graves.

This article was first published by Computer Weekly