Twitter resets passwords for security purposes

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Twitter says it mistakenly reset the passwords of some users as part of a routine security check-up.

The mix-up triggered warnings on technology blogs and in tweets that the online messaging service had been attacked by computer hackers.

The social networking site tried to clear up the confusion by sending emails alerting some users that their accounts had been compromised.

Despite the mistake, Twitter says only a very small percentage of its more than 140 million users had their passwords affected.