Many online users visit pages with pornographic content, which is a simple reason why hackers come up with different scams on a regular basis.
This time they are sending out fraudulent e-mail messages to people, claiming that they may be exposed for watching porn online in order to receive money from them. People in Slovakia are also targets, security software company ESET has warned.
Hackers claim in the e-mail that they have hacked a victim's device and recorded the person while watching porn. They also state that they have obtained the previously watched content.
How to protect your device from hackers
- Do not reply to scams
- Do not download any attachments
- Do not click on embedded links
- Do not send money
- Change your password
- Activate two-factor authentication
- Scan your device with a reliable security service
"A cyber attacker demands $1,000 in Bitcoins in exchange for not exposing the inappropriate material," said Ondrej Kubovič, ESET's digital security specialist.
The sum, which is to be paid within 48 hours, can differ.
Hackers have no video
Although the hackers threaten to share the incriminated video with all the contacts stolen from the hacked device, they do not possess any video, ESET stressed.
The scheme, known as "sextortion", has been around for years. However, what makes it different from previous ones is the relatively good social engineering, ESET added.
The victim receives the e-mail ‘from their own address’, which gives some weight to the hacker’s claim of attacking the victim’s device. Also, hackers try to persuade the victims that they have their password.
As a result, victims are willing to pay as soon as possible to protect themselves.
