Lately we've received several notifications of “sextortion”. Sextortion is a form of blackmail whereby blackmailers threaten to spread images of a sexual nature of the victim, if he/she does not pay. In the notifications we received, the victims are threatened by e-mail. The blackmailer claims they found an old password online giving them access to camera images of a sexual nature of the victim. The blackmailer then asks the victim to pay a sum in Bitcoins. It is extremely unlikely the blackmailer actually has these kinds of pictures.
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If you receive a message like this, we recommend the following:
- If this relates to an old password and if you didn't open any attachments or clicked a link in the e-mail, the risk of harm is very low.
- Forward the e-mail to suspicious@safeonweb.be for analysis by different tools which ensure any hazardous links or attachments are detected and blocked.
- Do not respond to the request to pay a sum of money and if necessary file a complaint with the police.
- Delete the e-mail.
You received a message and responded to it:
- If you clicked links or downloaded attachments, run an anti-virus scan on all devices connected to your network. https://safeonweb.be/en/do-you-have-virus
- We advise you to change all the passwords of all accounts to strong passwords that are unique for every account. Read all the tips about the use of passwords: https://www.safeonweb.be/en/use-strong-passwords
- File a complaint with the police.
Be a cyberpro always and everywhere:
- Use different passwords for your accounts and use strong passwords. Read tips about the use of passwords: https://www.safeonweb.be/en/use-strong-passwords
- Cover your webcam with a webcam cover or with a piece of paper if you are not using it.
Source: CERT.be
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