This blog post will give an overview of what happens in these cases and, offer insights into why someone would behave in such a manner, and outline tips on if you should ignore sextortion.
If you have been targeted, it can be a frightening experience. It may feel like there is no way out and that the only possible solution is to pay up – but this does not always have to be the case. Although the situation may seem dire, there are certain steps you can take to help protect yourself from any further online harassment or abuse.
What is Online Sextortion?
In a nutshell, a sextortion email involves a perpetrator threatening to release private, explicit images of someone they have previously collected or accessed without consent. These emails often contain personal information obtained through data breaches. The threat is typically backed up with demands for either money or other personal information to prevent the public distribution of the compromising media. Fortunately, there are signs you can look out for that you might be talking to a criminal.
Examples of sextortion scams
Many sextortion emails contain details from data breaches. For instance, the email might include your phone number or passwords that were stolen in previous security incidents. Recognizing these manipulation tactics is crucial in protecting yourself from these scams.
Definition and Examples
Online sextortion is a form of cybercrime where individuals are threatened with the release of compromising material, such as explicit images or videos, unless they comply with the perpetrator’s demands. This can include paying a ransom, providing personal information, or engaging in other forms of exploitation. Sextortion can occur through various means, including email, social media, and online messaging platforms.
Examples of sextortion scams include:
- Receiving an email claiming to have compromising material and demanding payment in exchange for not releasing it.
- Being threatened with the release of explicit images or videos on social media unless a ransom is paid.
- Being asked to provide personal information or engage in online activities in exchange for not releasing compromising material.
By understanding these examples, you can better recognize and avoid falling victim to online sextortion.
Types of Sextortion Scams
There are several types of sextortion scams, each with its own unique approach:
- Classic Sextortion: This involves threatening to release compromising material unless a ransom is paid. The perpetrator may claim to have explicit images or videos and demand money to keep them private.
- Deepfake Sextortion: Using AI technology, perpetrators create fake explicit images or videos and threaten to release them unless a ransom is paid. This type of scam can be particularly distressing as the material appears highly realistic.
- Sextortion through Social Engineering: This involves using psychological manipulation to trick individuals into providing personal information or engaging in online activities that can be used for sextortion. Perpetrators may pose as someone trustworthy to gain access to compromising material.
Understanding these different types of sextortion scams can help you stay vigilant and protect yourself from potential threats.
Understanding the Risks of Online Sextortion
Online sextortion poses significant risks to individuals, including:
- Emotional Distress and Reputational Damage: The fear of having explicit material released can cause severe emotional distress and damage your reputation.
- Financial Loss: Paying ransoms or falling victim to identity theft can result in significant financial loss.
- Compromised Online Privacy and Security: Sextortion can lead to further exploitation or blackmail, compromising your online privacy and security.
To protect yourself from these risks, consider the following steps:
- Be cautious when sharing personal information or engaging in online activities.
- Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication on your accounts.
- Keep your software and operating systems up to date to protect against vulnerabilities.
- Be aware of the signs of sextortion and report any suspicious activity immediately.
By taking these precautions, you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of online sextortion.
How Sextortion Scams Work
Sextortion scams typically involve a perpetrator gaining access to compromising material, either through hacking, social engineering, or other means. The perpetrator then uses this material to threaten the individual, demanding payment or other forms of exploitation in exchange for not releasing the material.
Sextortion scams can be carried out through various means, including:
- Email: Perpetrators may send threatening emails claiming to have compromising material and demanding payment.
- Social Media: Perpetrators may use social media platforms to threaten individuals with the release of compromising material.
- Online Messaging Platforms: Perpetrators may use online messaging platforms to threaten individuals with the release of compromising material.
It is essential to be aware of the signs of sextortion and take steps to protect yourself. Report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement and seek support from cyber security professionals. By staying informed and vigilant, you can better protect yourself from the dangers of sextortion scams.
Signs: Explicit Images
- The conversation could move quickly and turn sexual. They might pressure you into sending inappropriate photos or money, this is highly indicative of an online scam.
- Take a deeper dive into their account, it might not have a lot of posts, friends, and followers. Because these criminals do this on such a massive scale, they tend to make multiple accounts with minimal information.
- Profile Pictures might not all match up or they might have a limited amount, due to the fact that most of the pictures they use are fake or stolen. We recommend doing a reverse image search of their photo to make sure the account is real.
- Be on the lookout for frequent spelling mistakes a lot of the time extortionists and scammers are located in other countries and their language might not be native to yours.
- Receiving a sextortion email that includes an old or current password is a sign that the password was likely obtained from a data breach. This does not indicate imminent danger if no suspicious activity is observed, but it is crucial to update your passwords to strong, secure ones to prevent future breaches.
If you experience any of these scenarios, it’s important to don’t give out any further information and instead report them immediately. By recognizing these warning signs and being mindful of your online conversations, you can avoid getting into a situation where you are at risk.
Should You Forget It?
Online crime is a serious form of cybercrime that should never be ignored. Involving coercion which is an act that uses psychological or physical pressure to compel someone to do something that they otherwise wouldn’t. This can manifest in terms of manipulation, intimidation, undue influence, cyber blackmail, or even threats of violence.
Not only is this an invasion of your privacy and personal boundaries, but it can also have long-term psychological effects. If you or someone you know has ever been the victim of online blackmail, reach out to authorities immediately. Ignoring sextortion is not the answer; by seeking support from professionals experienced in handling such cases, victims can take action so they get the assistance they need to recover from these situations.
Protecting Yourself Against Sextortion: Steps You Can Take, Including Two Factor Authentication
Protecting yourself from the alarming new threat can seem like a daunting task, but taking a few steps can prevent you from becoming a victim. Digital Investigation recommends you review your online privacy settings regularly and be mindful of whom you share personal information with. Scammers often use purchased data from data breaches to instill fear and manipulate their targets.
Be sure to make use of two-factor authentication for accounts, as well as password managers for extra security. It is also important to never send intimate images or videos since these can easily be manipulated and used against you in nefarious ways. Keeping these tips in mind will help protect you against this growing form of cybercrime
Protect yourself today by reporting it to Digital Investigation.
Summary
To wrap up, this is a crime involving the use of manipulation, threats, or shaming to force or manipulate individuals. It can have harmful psychological and reputational effects if you are targeted by it. Exposed data breaches can lead to personal information being sold and misused by hackers, posing an ongoing threat. By understanding the risks associated and taking these safety steps, you can ensure as much as possible that you will not be victimized.
If you ever do become a target, it is crucial that you reach out and get help right away; don’t think that ignoring it will make the problem go away!
- A data breach resulting in personal information being linked and sold can lead to ongoing threats and exploitation. Hackers often exploit this sensitive data, such as phone numbers and email addresses, for nefarious purposes like sextortion. The permanence of some contact information means that past breaches can continue to affect individuals long after they occur.
