An old scam is back, it never realy went away but has suddenly increased again - no doubt trying to target/exploit increased computer use during the current C-19 lockdowns.
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A large email extortion campaign is underway telling recipients that their computer was hacked and that a video was taken through the hacked computer's webcam. The attackers then demand $1,900 in bitcoins or the video will be sent to family and friends.
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PS. I've also seen reports of a variant of the email that says they have hacked your smartphones camera and address book.
- Yes, I received such an emails as well (now and in the past). The scammers overlooked - at least - one thing. I have put a piece of paper over the build-in video camera. So, I know that anyone who tries to blackmail me with a video is lying.
I have my webcam disabled in Device Manager (have no use for it, and wish I had bought a laptop without one included), although periodically after Windows Updates it's wise to make sure Windows hasn't re-enabled it.
- And the extortionists are back. Last tuesday I received another blackmail email with a similar threat. "Pay me USD 950 or an embarrasing video will be put out on the internet". But this threat is meaningless because I have covered my camera in my laptop with a sticker.
I still have the email. The email was supposedly sent by myself to myself. But how can I blackmail myself ?
Is it possible to somehow find out the email adress from which the email was sent ? I assume that the email itself somehow would / should contain a return email adress from which the email was sent.
Aren't hackers able to re-enable that device driver (assuming they are really that smart) ?