![]() Of the five wallets we looked at only one had received any bitcoin, in total about 0.5 bitcoin or $4,000 at the time of this writing. The scammers in this case likely matched up a database of emails and stolen passwords and sent this scam out to potentially millions of people, hoping that enough of them would be worried enough and pay out that the scam would become profitable.ĮFF researched some of the bitcoin wallets being used by the scammers. What makes the email especially alarming is that, to prove their authenticity, they begin the emails showing you a password you once used or currently use.Īgain, this still doesn't mean you've been hacked. The hacker promises to go away if you send them thousands of dollars, usually with bitcoin. The general gist is that a hacker claims to have compromised your computer and says they will release embarrassing information-such as images of you captured through your web camera or your pornographic browsing history-to your friends, family, and co-workers. We have pasted a few examples of these emails at the bottom of this post. ![]() We’ll talk about a few steps to take to protect yourself, but the first and foremost piece of advice we have: do not pay the ransom. This is merely a new variation on an old scam which is popularly being called "sextortion." This is a type of online phishing that is targeting people around the world and preying on digital-age fears.ĭOnate to help EFF defend privacy and free expression Contrary to the claims in your email, you haven't been hacked (or at least, that's not what prompted that email). You’re searching for what to do in this frightening situation.ĭon’t panic. ![]() You may have arrived at this post because you received an email from a purported hacker who is demanding payment or else they will send compromising information-such as pictures sexual in nature-to all your friends and family. Updated Jan 23rd 2019 to include latest variations on this scam.
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