A new sextape scam variant uses password-protected files to fool victims. The scheme, published by the site MyOnlineSecurity Last Sunday (7), it works from an email received with an attached compressed document. The alleged message says that the scammer hacked the user's computer and recorded video on the webcam while he was accessing pornographic websites. In order to extort the recipient, the email requests a bitcoin ransom to release the password from the compressed content to prevent material from being sent to all of the person's contacts.
What sextorso? Understand the crime surrounding sexual imagery
New type of sextape attack uses compressed file to scare victims Photo: Bruno De Blasi / dnetc
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The scheme has the potential to scare users because the compressed file in the email induces the recipient to believe the threat. Despite being password protected, the document allows viewing of a fake content, which is made up of records of use of Internet browsers, as well as videos.
However, to effectively view the material, you must enter a password. Criminals say in their email message that they release the file's credential if the victim makes a bitcoin payment. The email has a link that directs the user to a dedicated payment website.
In one copy of the action, scammers ask for a total of $ 2,550 in bitcoins so that fake pornographic material is not sent to the person's contacts. Thanks ingenious because it still offers the possibility that the victim will only buy the password to verify the contents of the compressed file for $ 50.
Sextorso scam asks for payment in bitcoin Photo: Disclosure
Although it has a sexual theme, the new action has phishing lines of attack. This means you don't have much to do to protect yourself from receiving such an email. It is important to confirm that your computer or device is always up to date with security features and system upgrades, as the chance that a criminal might have accessed your camera is very small.
There are still other ways to mitigate risks in sextape strokes. You can disable your computer's webcam, and be very careful about the programs you install on your PC and the services in which you provide your email. This is because criminals can gain access to your address from websites that do not protect privacy and expose email to scammers to send such threats to you.
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Via Bleeping Computer and MyOnlineSecurity
