Internet Blackmail

I am confident that most members of ATS will never fall for this scam , however there could be some members that might .
So I thought I would post this. I would imagine that this "con" would mostly work on senior citizens and people who have been hacked before, but it is always good info to know.

"The latest cyberscare preys on computer users' fears about Internet security and the many reported cases of hackers bringing down systems or accessing confidential information or planting "back door" programs that allow them to take control of others' computers remotely. This scam is particularly insidious in that the "hacker" doesn't even have to have any hacking skills; the threat alone is enough to scare some paranoid computer users into paying the relatively small amounts demanded (often $25-50) rather than take the risk that the blackmailer will follow through"

www.winxpnews.com...

Good thing to put up. It's definitely a good thing to be aware of.

I have a simple rule: delete ALL emails that look strange and/or are from unknown sources.
I believe we have just begun to see nasty people scamming citizens on the net

hmm... a lot of harmful internet threats lately... this is another thing i will have to watch out for, thanx netstorm

I posted earlier on a BTS thread about security. I find it fitting here as well considering that most infections are occuring on broadband connections at home that are not protected.

I believe in a multi-pronged solution to security, allowing each tool to do what it's best at:

Hardware
- Router -
These allow you to control what can come into your always-on broadband connection. I've used Linksys products personally for six years and at work for longer than that.
www.compusa.com...

Software
- Spybot Search & Destory-
This can detect, repair and prevent infections from spyware and trojans masquerading as spyware.
www.safer-networking.org...

Software
- Norton Antivirus-
Make sure you use auto-update feature. You get a one-year subscription to it and it's well worth the annual renewal fee. I use the corporate edition at home office and it manages everything for all of my computers.

Human
Intellectual
- Don't open attachments from people you don't know.
- Turn off auto preview if you use Outlook for e-mail.
- Stay up to date with all Microsoft patches.


[Edited on 4-5-2004 by titian]

Luckily i dont fall for crap that is offered for free on the net also i hate the ads like "earn 2000 bucks in amonth selling....."

Originally posted by titian
I posted earlier on a BTS thread about security. I find it fitting here as well considering that most infections are occuring on broadband connections at home that are not protected.

All of your security advice is appreciated.
But, I must say, many or most busineses are far more lax with security that the typical ATS/BTS member.

All spam and/or infected emails come to me from my former co-workers

Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe

Originally posted by titian
I posted earlier on a BTS thread about security. I find it fitting here as well considering that most infections are occuring on broadband connections at home that are not protected.

All of your security advice is appreciated.
But, I must say, many or most busineses are far more lax with security that the typical ATS/BTS member.

All spam and/or infected emails come to me from my former co-workers

That's most likely correct, based on the way they work by scanning address books. It's a lot more clever than hoping people forward a virus-laden attachment around. If more computers were updated with the MS patches though, Outlook wouldn't be quite as vulnerable.

With regards to the personal blackmail however, a secured network at home would ensure that kiddie porn or trojans could not get into your system. The blackmail from kiddie porn is a sick yet brilliant idea. Who wouldn't pay unless they could be certain their computer(s) was/were clean at home? Already, we know of certain trojans that place porn on the hard drives of unsuspecting users for hosting. I believe that this was actually used as a defense someone accused of hacking into either a corporate or government system. The defendant did not deny his computer was the source. The defendant denied he was in control of the computer! What a defense, and its certainly credible nowadays.

[EDIT]: Here's a link about the Trojan Horse Defense. www.stargeek.com...

[Edited on 4-5-2004 by titian]

[Edited on 4-5-2004 by titian]

If you have AOL you can get spy bot and adware for free...i use it...its worth getting...so is your updates antivirus...atleast theyll stop the average hack...cause if someone really wants what you have...they will find a way to get it anyway....

All of your information is very accurate and very helpful titian, but I think most are overlooking what the actual blackmail is about.

What would happen is the following.
You would get an email, that states something like this.

"I have access to your computer and your documents. If you do not send me --insert amount here--by PayPal (or other means of transfer) I will take control of your computer and destroy it. If you alert the authorities I will know and also destroy your computer. Any attempt at tracing this email will result in the destruction of your computer and documents" yada yada yada

-------THIS IS NOT A THREAT--JUST AN EXAMPLE----

Normally the amount is small , so a lot of people who may not be Internet savvy would just simply send the money.
I thought it a good idea to post this since there are some new users on ATS. From what I have found so far it is not to widespread, but it could be.

www.stargeek.com...

www.pcplayground.com...


And for you folks that use Kazza and others, PLEASE PLEASE do not share your C: (Yes I know that sounds obvious, but people do....)

brucelawson.co.uk...

I remember reading one story about a lady who had EVERYTHING on her harddrive, IE CC#'s access codes etc....she shared her harddrive when she signed up with Kazaa thus sharing it with the world.

Stay safe folks.

Netstorm, it was wise to post it here. I see your angle here, almost like another one of those senior citizen scams like you mentioned earlier. Sorry if I took over the thread with my rants -- that was unintentional.

Basementaddix, Spybot is free to anyone here: www.safer-networking.org...

Hello...lady shouldnt be using Kazaa if she doesnt know what the possibilities of it can be...I used Kazaa up until recently (Only let my shared folder be uploaded)...I just took it out because I got tired of the Adware (not because of the FCC....F@ck the FCC)...Im actually looking for a new similar program...Kazaalite is a paysite now (sucks)...as is Napster (sucks)....its reasons like that lady why Im iffy about letting people use my pc...My cousin got a virus once...and me...like a tard...accepted the virus filled email from her (thank god for norton)...I hate trojans...

Originally posted by titian
Netstorm, it was wise to post it here. I see your angle here, almost like another one of those senior citizen scams like you mentioned earlier. Sorry if I took over the thread with my rants -- that was unintentional.

Basementaddix, Spybot is free to anyone here: www.safer-networking.org...

Oh not at all...you took nothing over. I just wanted the info out there because many people are not aware of what they actually have exposed to the Internet .
It's all good

Have a funny day

Originally posted by BasementAddix
Im actually looking for a new similar program...Kazaalite is a paysite now (sucks)...

What? Not the last time I used it (two-three weeks ago). Do you have an older version or newer version?

Thanks for the information Netstorm.

Originally posted by titian

Originally posted by BasementAddix
Im actually looking for a new similar program...Kazaalite is a paysite now (sucks)...

What? Not the last time I used it (two-three weeks ago). Do you have an older version or newer version?

If you want to download it now its like 30bucks...I used the old regular Kazaa and never got kazaalite when it was still free...