Sextortion - I learned a new word today.
Well, maybe I did know the word already, but it came up today in a scam email that had me shaking in my computer chair, until I realized there was nothing to fear.
I received an email with a real password I use sometimes, demanding money from me saying there was video of me viewing a porn site. If I didn't pay $1000 they would send the video (of me) to 9 of my FB friends. Extortion.
Um... no, not me.. honestly, couldn't have been me. I'm one of the few people in America who does not view porn. AND I also have tape over my webcam so there could be no video of me (not) viewing porn either.
Luckily I learned from some online articles that this is indeed a new scam, using OLD passwords associated with e-mail addresses, and I have no need to worry. I've changed my password on the few old sites that I was still using that old password. Nothing important.
Apparently some sites were hacked a few years ago, Dropbox and Linked In, and others that I don’t use. Now those harvested email addresses and old passwords are being used in this new kind of scam.
Funny thing, they only asked me for $1000 in Bitcoin... Similar scams I see people reporting were being asked for $1900, $2900 or more... Guess I get a senior citizen discount, haha!
Though it's not silly, random or fun, it IS a reminder to change simple passwords you might still be using from years ago - and put tape on your webcam, when not using it!
Here are the articles that made me feel better after receiving this seemingly personal email - that wasn't.
Update Sept 11, 2018 I just received another email from same email address, this time the ransom went up to $5000, haha! This one was worded slightly differently. In any case, glad it's nothing to worry about.