Urgent: I received a blackmail email

[peter912]

They know my log in password and claim to have infected my computer . They want me to send $630 to a bitcoin wallet or they will release all information contained in my computer. The e mail sender used this e mail [email protected] to send this to me. What should I do ? Right now I am running a McAfee scan . How do I change my log in password but I don't want to do this until my computer is cleaned. Should I call a computer company to clean my computer from this infection by remote ?

 

[_Kyle_]

This is most likely spam.
Did they actually log in or did they just "claim" to?

Lol, and they want bitcoin?! XD

 

[Darren]

Yeah if they didn't physically log in they're full of it. 100 percent a scam, very good chance there's nothing on your computer anyway. Did they call you first?

 

[peter912]

but they wrote my log in password in the e mail that they sent me

 

[_Kyle_]

but they wrote my log in password in the e mail that they sent me

Then change your password. If a virus scan doesn't bring anything up you are most likely okay.

 

[OmniDyne]

but they wrote my log in password in the e mail that they sent me

If you use that same password for other programs or websites, they could have gotten your password from one of those places.

 

[beers]

I'd just change your password and ignore it.

I've received a few of those, they're just people who pulled out your hash or leaked password from a database dump/exploit of a website where your information was stolen and are trying to scare you with it.

 

[peter912]

I changed my computers log in password and did a McAfee scan. McAfee didn't find anything but then again McAfee isn't able to detect everything

 

[Darren]

Run MalwareBytes and AdwCleaner too.

 

[peter912]

Run MalwareBytes and AdwCleaner too.

Both MalwareBytes and AdwCleaner found nothing

 

[_Kyle_]

Both MalwareBytes and AdwCleaner found nothing

Then you are good.

 

[beers]

I changed my computers log in password

If it's an online Microsoft account then that's a good play. If you use an offline account it's probably irrelevant.

Burn that password and change any online accounts that have the same user/pw combo.

 

[AlienMenace]

Don't use the same password for everything. You should use a Password manager like "Last Pass or Blur".
And don't use easy passwords. Make passwords at least 16 to 20 characters long.
Blur password manager: https://abine.com/index.html use the free version.
Lastpass: https://www.lastpass.com/ also use the free version.

 

[Agent Smith]

This has been a common spam email now for like since Cleopatra suxxed Cesar.

In other words... delete the damn email and forgetaboutit.

I got one too, and promptly reported it to Spam Cop as I do all spam emails. I run a pretty tight ship so I knew it was BS.

Don't be a sucka.

 

[nology99xx]

Deffo a scam, if there was something worthy on your pc of being stolen they wouldnt have mentioned it

 

[TheRealSwede]

A late reply, but if anyone else has the same problem...
at: https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/20...cam-knows-your-password-but-dont-fall-for-it/
You may read about what happend to peter912

as it says in the article:
"Someone has been sending sextortion scam emails with a new twist – one aimed at making it more likely you’ll be duped into paying a blackmail fee.

One of the emails arrived at Naked Security yesterday, via a diligent reader, just as Brian Krebs was breaking the story on his site.

It claims to have compromising images of the recipient and goes on to ask for payment in order to stop the images being released publicly. Attempting to manipulate victims by claiming to have compromising images of them is known as sextortion, and its been used for years. What makes this scam different is that it’s added something extra: it contains a real password used by the victim."

If you need to change any passwords please use the WinGuider-method (or WindowsGuides.eu method in english)

You may about it at: http://windowsguides.eu and the page "more info.."