Have you ever received a terrifying email or SMS claiming someone has hacked your computer, watched you through your webcam and / or has our sensitive files? If so, you are not alone as these types of scam emails are becoming more common and are designed to frighten you into paying up. This blog article takes a closer look at how this scam works and why you should not worry.
“Your computer has been hacked!” Message
The first thing you need to know is that this message is designed to scare you. It will often claim that your computer has been hacked, and that someone has gained access to all your files, messages and even emails. To make things even more chilling, it might say that they have your password or have been watching you through your webcam.
This message is designed to create panic in the receivers mind and the scammers want you to feel vulnerable and out of control. This then makes you more likely to meet their demands. Before you react though, remember that this is all just a tactic, a very common trick to prey on fear.
The cryptocurrency demand
These scam emails often end with a demand for cryptocurrency (eg Bitcoin), in exchange for not releasing your so-called “private” information and they will give you a short deadline to pay up. They know that if they can pressure you into acting quickly, you might not have time to think logically or seek advice.
The scary part: mentioning your real password
One thing that makes these emails particularly unsettling is that they sometimes mention a password you recognise or even still use! This makes the threat seem very real, but here is what’s really going on.
Your email address and passwords may have been part of a public data leak at some point. Large-scale data breaches have affected platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and many others. When these breaches happen, hackers often get hold of millions of usernames and passwords. Scammers they use this information to craft convincing emails and messages to make their scam look legitimate.
It’s a good reminder of why using a unique password for every account is so important. Using a password manager can help with that and adding two-factor authentication (2FA) adds another layer of security.
The good news – it is just a scam
The good news is that this email is just a scam. No one has access to your computer, files, webcam or passwords. These scammers are relying on scare tactics to pressure you into paying them cryptocurrency or money. The best thing you can do is not stress out, do not respond to the email or message and just delete the email and forget about it.
The scammer has no control over your computer and they just hoped you will be frightened enough to believe them and send money. By ignoring them, you take away all their power.
We can help
We understand how stressful it can be to receive messages and emails like this, especially when it mentions something as personal as your password. If you ever feel unsure or need help figuring out what is real and what is not, feel free to reach out to us. The only real concern here is that your password may have been leaked, and any account using that password should be changed ASAP.
We can help you set up a password manager and two-factor authentication to keep your accounts safe. Do not be afraid to give us a call; we are here to help you feel safer and more confident with your computer. Contact us today for a no obligation chat.