Sextortion Bitcoin scam

Popular Scam Makes 2020 Return

Another aggravating email that is making its rounds. You get an email which may include recent pictures of places or people you were with. It then goes on to tell you that if you don’t pay a certain amount by a certain day these (and other pictures) will be uploaded to porn websites and be emailed to all your contacts to harm your credibility. But if you act fast and pay $$ to a certain bitcoin account by creating another email address and sending $, you will be spared the embarrassment.

Several Different Flavors

This same scam may come in different subjects. Breached password, etc. Here’s a sample of what it may look like:

I am well aware [REDACTED] is your pass words. Lets get right to point. Neither anyone has paid me to investigate you. You may not know me and you are probably thinking why you’re getting this e-mail? 

actually, i installed a software on the adult videos (pornographic material) web-site and do you know what, you visited this website to have fun (you know what i mean). While you were viewing videos, your web browser began working as a Remote Desktop that has a keylogger which gave me accessibility to your display and also cam. Just after that, my software gathered every one of your contacts from your Messenger, Facebook, as well as email . after that i created a double video. 1st part displays the video you were viewing (you’ve got a nice taste haha), and next part shows the recording of your cam, yeah its you. 

You have not one but two choices. Shall we read up on these options in aspects: 

First alternative is to just ignore this message. in such a case, i am going to send out your actual video to every single one of your personal contacts and think regarding the awkwardness you will definitely get. and definitely if you happen to be in a loving relationship, how it would affect? 

Number 2 solution is to pay me $889. Lets name it as a donation. in this situation, i most certainly will asap remove your video footage. You could carry on daily life like this never occurred and you surely will never hear back again from me.

You’ll make the payment through Bi‌tco‌in (if you don’t know this, search for ‘how to buy b‌itcoi‌n’ in Google). 

B‌T‌C‌ ad‌dre‌ss to send to: [REDACTED]

[CaSe sensitive, copy & paste it] 

if you are wondering about going to the law enforcement officials, well, this message can not be traced back to me. I have dealt with my actions. i am also not attempting to demand a huge amount, i would like to be compensated. within this%} emaiQUNdkpeC [SIC] if i do not receive the ‌bi‌tco‌in‌, i will send your video recording to all of your contacts including family members, coworkers, and so forth. Having said that, if i receive the payment, i will erase the recording immediately. If you really want proof, reply Yup then i will send out your video to your 9 friends. This is a non-negotiable offer, so don’t waste mine time and yours by replying to this e mail.

Very Sneaky

These people pray on you getting upset, excited, and then paying them money. Instead of an actual threat, they make one up to make money. People have even died because of scams like this. Please share this email with anyone that has an email account. This may save a life.

How did they get any of my information?

As we see in the news, many data breaches have occurred in places we do business (Target, Equifax, etc.) and these cowards use that information, locate our social media accounts, gather information, then use it in this scam to get money.

What can I do?

If you receive an email like this, report it if you can. Otherwise, just delete it. It’s a scam. If you need help and want some resources to help better protect your network, email and company infrastructure give me a call I offer flat rate pricing that can not only save you some IT dollars, but help from these scam emails getting to your inbox.

 

 

 

We all have one, I’ll show you mine

Much like opinions or certain body parts

In today’s modern infrastructure we all have a router, let’s see what we can find out.

Backstory

I’m always thinking of ways to keep ransomware away from my customers and while I was pondering this article I thought why not ask my router some questions. Since that’s the first place our outside internet connection comes from.

The Interview

ME:
Hey, Router what do you do for me?
ROUTER: I take your single internet connection and share it among your devices so everyone can have internet access. router
ME:
Since you’re my first link to the outside world why don’t you do more to protect me? Wouldn’t that make sense and save me from having a million things about security to remember?
ROUTER: That does sound logical, but I’ve been a loyal member of your infrastructure for years. Remember? I was there back in 2015 when the power was out. I was lonely, but when it was over, I was there. How about in 2013 when we first met? You were so happy to have WiFi and me an “all-in-one router”, we loved each other. Router
ME:
Sure, I remember some good times. But, criminals have gotten smarter and I must have modern protection to keep up with modern threats, so how about protecting me better?
ROUTER: I’m doing my best here, it’s not easy keeping a steady flow, keeping the data conversations going to the right device. You don’t need anything else, we’re family. Router
ME:
Let’s face it, you don’t have the right skills. I need a modern solution to keep up with modern threats.
ROUTER:  Could we Talk about something else, I really don’t understand what you’re talking about. Besides, I have other things to do right now. Router

Even the router agrees, it cannot protect us in the modern workplace. We need much better protection.

So, I researched. Here’s the thought process…

My considerations:

  • Easy to manage
  • Provides immediate protection
  • Provides ongoing protection
  • Is easy for customers to obtain, and has a great ROI
Product Comparison
Comparison List (click to download)

My choice

I chose WatchGuard because they not only check all the boxes but allow customers to obtain the device and pay monthly for service protection and subscription. This allows customers to get the right device at a reduced cost that could otherwise be cost-prohibitive. Plus, ongoing protection is included (one of the most important parts of ongoing protection). Skip keeping the subscription active and that could leave you inadvertently unprotected.

Besides, WatchGuard devices come in a variety of solutions. This means a device can be uniquely configured specifically for customers’ network needs.

WatchGuard Products
WatchGuard Products

Layers of protection

We need Unified Threat Management for modern threats and layered protection. My job is offering the best solutions for keeping your business continuity protected.

Call me and let’s replace your router with a firewall

Want more information? Give me a call. I’m always happy to help. 972.571.4808

New Year means New Threats…

Remember the IRS hoaxes, and FBI emails

Keep in mind the government doesn’t send emails. Also, be on the lookout for banking emails, be very careful. Sometimes if I get something and I’m not completely sure I’ll hover over one of the links in the email, outlook will usually display the underlying link as a balloon showing the actual location. If I see a strange website location address, then I know for sure it’s a phony. When in doubt, don’t click.

We Add to our Email Filter Once a Month

Every few weeks I sit down and go though my junk email and add those suspicious items.

One thing that might surprise you is that nearly 2.5 million emails have been processed by the server in the last 30 days. In addition of that 1 million were SPAM.

It’s a never ending battle, and striking a balance between what to allow and what to block is daunting. The SPAMers typically change the words in a subject just a little to get through and you can’t use the email address to block, because that will be different next time.

The Biggest Fear is Ransom-ware

In recent time, ransom-ware is the biggest threat. Using Microsoft’s own technology against you, clicking on an email link, or clicking on a suspicious website can infect your computer. The ransom-ware executes an encryption algorithm that encrypts all your documents, images and backups. The encryption key that unlocks it is sent to the perpetrators and you’ll have to pay them to unencrypt your files. This is true for both Apple and PC’s, no one is safe.

Some folks over at Cyber-Reason have put together a free utility that can help prevent ransom-ware attacks, it’s available from this link. Do a google search and you can find free ransom-ware protection for your Mac.

What should you do?

Well, if you’re one of my clients, you’re taken care of on an ongoing basis.  I work hard to help protect and clean up your inbox before you get it. If your not, you should be. Give me a call at 972.571.4808 and ask me about offsite automatic data backups, low cost hosting, and email hosting.