Learn From My Stupidity
But Seriously, Hackers, You May Want to Learn to Spell
Ok, so I did a really stupid thing. I found a message from a former student after I logged into Skype recently (I use it to record group interviews). I clicked on the the link, thinking she was sending me some of her recent work.
You know how this ends.
She had been hacked.
The site was some sort of advertorial garbage so I just clicked out of it, cleared my cache and thought that was the end of things.
Until I got this email from a would-be blackmailer:
I know, XXXXXX, is your password. You may not know me and you’re probably thinking why you’re getting this e-mail, correct?
actually, I actually setup a malware on the adult video clips (porn material) web-site and do you know what, you visited this web site to have fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching videos, your internet browser started out operating as a RDP (Remote control Desktop) having a keylogger which gave me access to your display screen and also webcam. Just after that, my software program gathered your entire contacts from your Messenger, Facebook, as well as email.
What exactly did I do?
I created a double-screen video. 1st part shows the video you were watching (you have a good taste lmao), and next part shows the recording of your web camera.
What should you do?
Well, I believe, $1900 is a fair price for our little secret. You will make the payment by Bitcoin (if you don’t know this, search “how to buy bitcoin” in Google).
BTC Address: 1JHwenDp9A98XdjfYkHKyiE3R99Q72K9X4
(It is cAsE sensitive, so copy and paste it)
Note:
You now have one day in order to make the payment. (I have a specific pixel within this email message, and at this moment I know that you have read through this message). If I don’t receive the BitCoins, I will, no doubt send your video recording to all of your contacts including friends and family, co-workers, etc. However, if I do get paid, I’ll erase the video immidiately. If you want evidence, reply with “Yes!” and I will send your video to your 5 friends. It is a non-negotiable offer, thus do not waste my personal time and yours by responding to this e-mail.
I knew I hadn’t gone to a porn site. And my webcam is set up to notify me if someone is trying to access it. Ditto my email and message contacts — Apple confirmed that my keychain set up on Mac is encyrpted in such a way that it can’t be accessed unless I allow it. But the password thing was correct (for my computer log in), and I was a little bit worried.
I ran an anti-malware program, ran another anti-malware program, talked to some security people, and found there were six trojans attempted to be installed on my computer. Likely one followed keystrokes and tracked my log in. I cleaned up the trojans using the anti-malware program, reset the computer password,. and went on my way.
So today when I got another blackmail threat, I went from worried to amused.
I’m aware, XXXXXX (old password was inserted here), is your pass word. You do not know me and you’re most likely wondering why you’re getting this e mail, correct?
Well, I actually installed a malware on the adult video clips (sexually graphic) site and guess what, you visited this site to experience fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching video clips, your browser started working as a RDP (Remote control Desktop) having a key logger which provided me accessibility to your display screen as well as webcam. after that, my software collected your entire contacts from your Messenger, Facebook, as well as email.
What did I do?
I made a double-screen video. 1st part displays the video you were watching (you’ve got a fine taste omg), and 2nd part shows the recording of your web camera.
exactly what should you do?
Well, in my opinion, $1900 is a reasonable price tag for our little secret. You will make the payment via Bitcoin (if you don’t know this, search “how to buy bitcoin” in Google).
BTC Address: 1YAy8oEjEXsxos5u7y5k7siJ4tSmA71sU
(It is cAsE sensitive, so copy and paste it)
Note:
You have one day in order to make the payment. (I’ve a special pixel in this message, and right now I know that you have read through this email message). If I don’t receive the BitCoins, I definitely will send your video to all of your contacts including relatives, colleagues, and so on. Nonetheless, if I receive the payment, I’ll erase the video immidiately. If you really want proof, reply with “Yes!” and I will certainly send your video recording to your 6 friends. This is the non-negotiable offer, therefore please don’t waste my time and yours by replying to this message.
So there are a few differences. Apparently now I’ve gone up to six friends, from five the day before. I’m now watching “sexually graphic” video rather than “porn.” There was a minor grammatical correction to make the second graph a full sentence, but a missed space between words in the “Well, in my opinion” graph and e-mail is misspelled. They still want $1900 in BitCoins, still are using the now-defunct password, and still can’t spell “immediately” or “password.”
I understand trying to track down these people is like playing whack-a-mole. And I know that the email addresses they sent these emails from — iogwenettekus@outlook.com and arraugyyoi@outlook.com, respectively — are likely faked.
But, my god. If you’re going to try and blackmail me, at least live up to your promises. The second email came in 25 hours after I read the first. You had time to email all my contacts with this promised hard core viewing.
PICTURES OR IT DIDN’T HAPPEN.
(Because of course, it didn’t happen)
But it makes me wonder how many people actually are gullible enough to fall for this B.S.
I mean, if they get even one person a week, that’s a cool $98,800 per year.
And that’s not chump change.
Me? I’m filing every one of these with the FBI for investigation. And I’m looking forward to who emails me tomorrow.
