I recently received two spam emails from someone claiming to have recorded a private video of me while I was browsing some suspect sites. They threatened to release the video on the dark web unless I paid a ransom. What's concerning is that each email included different passwords I have used in the past. My email account has not had a traditional password for years; I switched to passkeys and two-factor authentication (2FA). However, I did have an old Thunderbird password that I deleted today. Is it possible that someone could have used my Thunderbird password to access my email? I'm also anxious about other accounts possibly being compromised. What should I check to make sure my accounts are secure? I also used a service that indicated my email/password had been part of leaks on nine occasions.
2 Answers
It's likely that you've experienced a data leak at some point, and the blackmailer is just using that information to create fear. They don't actually have a video of you; they just have your old email and passwords, which they throw together in a generic scam email sent to thousands of people. Just remember:
1. Don’t reuse passwords and change them regularly.
2. Always enable 2FA on important accounts.
3. If your webcam lacks a built-in cover, consider getting a physical one.
Assume your data is compromised regularly and act accordingly to tighten your security!
It's pretty crazy how people still fall for these age-old scams. They rely on just a few details to scare you into paying up. If you've got 2FA set up, you're in a good position. Just keep monitoring your accounts and maybe consider changing up your passwords after every leak. Before doing that, check for any unexpected activity on your accounts. If you suspect that your Thunderbird data might have leaked, it’s a good idea to update any linked accounts as well and look into secure email options.
That's really helpful advice! I’ve been pretty diligent about my accounts since the 2015 incident, but I want to make sure I'm covered across the board. Just wanted to get more specifics on what else I should do in case of a leak!
I get what you're saying. Just to clarify, I don't do anything dodgy in front of my webcam either! I received that blackmail email at 14 and was always careful, especially after I was targeted during the EA leak. I've got 2FA on everything now and don’t save my payment info online. I’m mainly worried about whether my Thunderbird data was at risk.