A new scam has surfaced that uses a combination of breached passwords and adult content to scare people into paying bitcoin. This latest extortion campaign sends emails to compromised recipients, demanding payment or supposed video of them using an adult site would be released.
What Can You Do?
Since the message leads with your password, it is likely to grab your attention and seem legit. In reality, this thief has likely obtained your information from an online list of purchased old usernames/passwords. Check to see if your email has been compromised using haveibeenpwned, then change your username/password, and just delete the email received from the scammer.
Even if your old password is compromised, it’s unlikely that anyone recorded untoward footage of you. The hacker is sending out nearly identical emails to thousands of people, hoping to receive as much in ransom money as possible.
One other thing you can do to protect yourself is cover your computer camera. Need a webcam cover? BMT can send you one at no cost!
