Blog

Network Synergy Blog

Network Synergy has been serving the Trumbull area since 1988, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Want to Keep Your “Personal” Browsing a Secret? Scam Says: Pay Up!

Want to Keep Your “Personal” Browsing a Secret? Scam Says: Pay Up!

A new email scam is making its rounds and it has a lot of people concerned with just how much a hacker can peer into one’s private life. How would you react if a stranger emailed you saying they had inappropriate webcam footage of you?

This Scam is a Dirty Trick
This is going to be a taboo subject for many, but it’s a real scam that is quickly getting passed around to users and to some, the risk is so high they might be willing to fall for it. Essentially, an email comes in stating that a hacker got access to your passwords (likely pulled from a list on the dark web from any one of the dozens of web services and businesses that have been hacked over the years). They show off the password to you as proof, right in the email, and mention they have incriminating webcam footage of you, and they’ll share it to your contacts if you don’t pay up.

How It Works
The target of this scam will open their email to find a message that opens by identifying an actual password of the targeted user. The rest of the email reads as one would expect an email of this nature to:

“You don’t know me and you’re thinking why you received this email, right?

Well, I actually placed a malware on the porn website and guess what, you visited this web site to have fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching the video, your web browser acted as a RDP (Remote Desktop) and a keylogger which provided me access to your display screen and webcam. Right after that, my software gathered all your contacts from your Messenger, Facebook account, and email account.

What exactly did I do?

I made a split-screen video. First part recorded the video you were viewing (you’ve got a fine taste haha), and next part recorded your webcam (Yep! It’s you doing nasty things!).

What should you do?

Well, I believe, $1400 is a fair price for our little secret. You’ll make the payment via Bitcoin to the below address (if you don’t know this, search “how to buy bitcoin” in Google).”

The email then provides an address for the recipient to send their Bitcoin to, with the recommendation to copy-paste the case-sensitive alphanumeric sequence. The email ends with a warning:

“Important:

You have 24 hours in order to make the payment. (I have an unique pixel within this email message, and right now I know that you have read this email). If I don’t get the payment, I will send your video to all of your contacts including relatives, coworkers, and so forth. Nonetheless, if I do get paid, I will erase the video immidiately [sic]. If you want evidence, reply with “Yes!” and I will send your video recording to your 5 friends. This is a non-negotiable offer, so don’t waste my time and yours by replying to this email.”

This is not the only version of the email that is out there, but they all follow the same thread and end with the same threat - pay up, or everyone will see what you do behind closed doors.

Is This For Real?
For many people, this is a fair question - and fortunately for many, no, the threats are not legitimate. First of all, the passwords that these attacks are citing are often 10 years old, which means that the criminals likely got their information from an outdated database from some hack from a decade ago.

However, that doesn’t mean that this threat hasn’t been comfortably effective. As of July 19th, a mere 42 Bitcoin addresses had net over $50,000 from 30 victims. While these returns certainly aren’t breaking any records, they are enough to encourage more cybercriminals to leverage similar attacks.

How to Protect Yourself from the Real Deal
Even if this particular threat is little more than an underhanded bluff, that doesn’t mean a legitimate password scam isn’t still well within the realm of possibility. Therefore, the security lessons that can be learned from this particular trend are still extremely applicable.

First and foremost, passwords are like the underwear this probably automated scam claims to have seen its users potentially without - they need to be changed regularly. The fact that 30 people were willing to pay a combined $50,000 tells us two things: they had something they wanted to hide, and they hadn’t changed their passwords in years. Changing your passwords on a regular basis, without repeating them, means that you are safe if one of your past passwords is hacked. After all, the old key to a door won’t work anymore of you’ve changed the lock.

Secondly, and more personally, make sure your webcam is covered up while you aren’t actively using it.

For more best practices, including ones to help preserve your security, keep reading our blog. Reach out to us at (203) 261-2201 to ask about the solutions we can provide to keep messages like these out of your business in the first place.

Security Threats and Defensive Measures You Can Ta...
How Technology Could Change the Classroom
 

Comments 36

Guest on Tuesday, 21 August 2018 17:22

My 'personal' browsing has been a secret, and that's because I keep it that way. I have a method given to me by the write my research paper people, and that method works perfectly for me. I won't tell you about that method soon.

My 'personal' browsing has been a secret, and that's because I keep it that way. I have a method given to me by the [url=https://www.bestessayservicereviews.com/write-my-paper/]write my research paper[/url] people, and that method works perfectly for me. I won't tell you about that method soon.
Susan Taylor on Wednesday, 27 February 2019 11:06

Thanks a large amount just for this particular information. I clearly cherished reading it and have to share it with my local freinds. pilefoundation

Thanks a large amount just for this particular information. I clearly cherished reading it and have to share it with my local freinds. [url=http://pilefoundation.co.uk/]pilefoundation[/url]
Susan Taylor on Monday, 04 March 2019 14:42

I am curious to find out what blog platform you have been working with? I’m having some small security problems with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more secure. Do you have any suggestions? phen375 success stories

I am curious to find out what blog platform you have been working with? I’m having some small security problems with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more secure. Do you have any suggestions? [url=https://www.phen375forsale.com/]phen375 success stories[/url]
Susan Taylor on Friday, 15 March 2019 09:27

i love to play internet games specially on facebook where you have farmville and mafiawars;; useful source

i love to play internet games specially on facebook where you have farmville and mafiawars;; [url=https://generatorexperts.wordpress.com/2019/02/13/home-improvement-tasks-that-any-homeowner-can-do/]useful source[/url]
Susan Taylor on Friday, 19 April 2019 09:00

My friend and i also have been simply discussing above this unique problem, linda is consistently planning to demonstrate myself incorrect! I am going to show her this type of article and also apply it in a little! here

My friend and i also have been simply discussing above this unique problem, linda is consistently planning to demonstrate myself incorrect! I am going to show her this type of article and also apply it in a little! [url=http://www.in7.co.nz/winesofmarlborough.co.nz]here[/url]
Susan Taylor on Wednesday, 06 February 2019 16:46

i like war movies and inglourious basterds is one of the movies that i really love, Best shampoo for hair regrowth

i like war movies and inglourious basterds is one of the movies that i really love, [url=https://hairlossdhtshampoo.com/]Best shampoo for hair regrowth[/url]
Susan Taylor on Thursday, 28 February 2019 12:39

Thank you for any other informative website. Where else may just I am getting that type of information written in such a perfect means? I have a challenge that I am simply now working on, and I’ve been on the glance out for such information. custom printed cds

Thank you for any other informative website. Where else may just I am getting that type of information written in such a perfect means? I have a challenge that I am simply now working on, and I’ve been on the glance out for such information. [url=http://digitalexpressmastering.com/cd-dvd-printing/]custom printed cds[/url]
Susan Taylor on Saturday, 02 March 2019 09:50

i think that plasma tvs are more expensive than LCD tvs and they are a bit heavier too’ platformcore

i think that plasma tvs are more expensive than LCD tvs and they are a bit heavier too’ [url=https://platformcore.com/]platformcore[/url]
Susan Taylor on Saturday, 09 February 2019 15:24

Hi there, I found your web site via Google while looking for a related topic, your site came up, it looks great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks. Embakasi escorts

Hi there, I found your web site via Google while looking for a related topic, your site came up, it looks great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks. [url=https://www.rahaanairobi.com/nairobi-embakasi-escorts]Embakasi escorts[/url]
Susan Taylor on Tuesday, 19 February 2019 15:07

I usually dont post in Blogs but your blog forced me to, amazing work. beautiful. Craigslist Kenya

I usually dont post in Blogs but your blog forced me to, amazing work. beautiful. [url=https://www.rahaanairobi.com/craigslist-kenyan-hot-girls/]Craigslist Kenya[/url]
Susan Taylor on Sunday, 10 February 2019 12:10

i would love to use hydrogen fuel on my car, this fuel is really nonpolluting but is not yet very available, уроки русского языка для детей

i would love to use hydrogen fuel on my car, this fuel is really nonpolluting but is not yet very available, [url=https://www.colibribookstore.com/lessons-russian-language.html]уроки русского языка для детей[/url]
Susan Taylor on Tuesday, 12 February 2019 10:08

When do you think this Real Estate market will go back in a positive direction? Or is it still too early to tell? We are seeing a lot of housing foreclosures in Oviedo Florida. What about you? Would love to get your feedback on this. matka

When do you think this Real Estate market will go back in a positive direction? Or is it still too early to tell? We are seeing a lot of housing foreclosures in Oviedo Florida. What about you? Would love to get your feedback on this. [url=http://satta-matka.com/]matka[/url]
Susan Taylor on Tuesday, 12 February 2019 10:08

maintaining a healthy weight can be tricky because it revolves around genetics and some other factors“ satta market

maintaining a healthy weight can be tricky because it revolves around genetics and some other factors“ [url=http://sattamatkatips.net/]satta market[/url]
Susan Taylor on Tuesday, 12 February 2019 10:08

ehternet cables are still the ones that i use for my home networking applications; indian matka

ehternet cables are still the ones that i use for my home networking applications; [url=http://indianmatka.mobi/]indian matka[/url]
Susan Taylor on Tuesday, 12 February 2019 10:08

You made some decent points there. I looked on the web for any problem and located most individuals will go together with using your website. satta matka

You made some decent points there. I looked on the web for any problem and located most individuals will go together with using your website. [url=http://sattamatka.news/]satta matka[/url]
Susan Taylor on Saturday, 19 October 2019 10:38

That put up appears to be get numerous website visitors. Will you support it? That it offers a sweet specific forget on the subject of problems. Man enduring one thing accurate and / or maybe a lot of to deliver facts about is essential task. http://bestbusinesscircle.com/

That put up appears to be get numerous website visitors. Will you support it? That it offers a sweet specific forget on the subject of problems. Man enduring one thing accurate and / or maybe a lot of to deliver facts about is essential task. [url=http://bestbusinesscircle.com/]http://bestbusinesscircle.com/[/url]
Susan Taylor on Saturday, 19 October 2019 10:39

Hello there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform. https://theeducationlife.com/

Hello there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform. [url=https://theeducationlife.com/]https://theeducationlife.com/[/url]
Susan Taylor on Saturday, 19 October 2019 10:39

I adore your blog site.. excellent colors & motif. Would you actually layout this excellent website on your own and also performed people rely on someone else to get it done for you? Plz react while I!|m planning to design and style my own blog site in addition to wish to find out where by you became this by. many thanks https://itbusinessmind.com/

I adore your blog site.. excellent colors & motif. Would you actually layout this excellent website on your own and also performed people rely on someone else to get it done for you? Plz react while I!|m planning to design and style my own blog site in addition to wish to find out where by you became this by. many thanks [url=https://itbusinessmind.com/]https://itbusinessmind.com/[/url]
Susan Taylor on Saturday, 19 October 2019 10:39

I?¦ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So i am happy to express that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed. I such a lot without a doubt will make certain to don?¦t disregard this website and provides it a glance regularly. https://educationisaround.com/

I?¦ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So i am happy to express that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed. I such a lot without a doubt will make certain to don?¦t disregard this website and provides it a glance regularly. [url=https://educationisaround.com/]https://educationisaround.com/[/url]
Susan Taylor on Saturday, 19 October 2019 10:39

it does not take too long to learn good piano playing if you have a good piano lesson* https://thetechnologyvision.com/

it does not take too long to learn good piano playing if you have a good piano lesson* [url=https://thetechnologyvision.com/]https://thetechnologyvision.com/[/url]
Guest
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Tuesday, 05 November 2024

Captcha Image

Contact us

Learn more about what Network Synergy can do for your business.

Network Synergy
126 Monroe Turnpike
Trumbull, Connecticut 06611

Network Synergy Corporation BBB Business Review

Best IT Managed Service Providers in Bridgeport aicpa logo net syn

News & Updates

Network Synergy is proud to announce the launch of our new website at www.netsynergy.com. The goal of the new website is to make it easier for our existing clients to submit and manage support requests, and provide more information about our services for ...

Copyright Network Synergy. All Rights Reserved.