Don’t Panic: The “Hello Perv” Blackmail Emails are Fake
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
You may have received an alarming “Hello Perv” email claiming to have compromising footage or information about you, and demanding payment in bitcoin to keep it private. Emails like these, threatening to expose supposed porn viewing habits or other embarrassing information unless funds are paid, are an increasingly common scam.
This article will provide an in-depth look at this “sextortion” or “Hello Perv” scam campaign, how the emails work to trick recipients, what you should do if you receive one, and how to protect yourself online to avoid falling victim in the future. We’ll examine real examples of these fraudulent emails, explain why their claims are false, and give recommendations for responding and safeguarding your reputation.
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Overview of the “Hello Perv” Scam
The “Hello Perv” or sextortion scam involves emails being sent en masse to recipients, claiming to have explicit videos or information about the recipient watching pornography, and threatening to release the supposed videos publicly or to the recipient’s contacts if payment is not made.
The emails are made to appear as if the sender has legitimate, compromising footage of the recipient through malware, hacking their device, or other made-up technological means. In reality, this is a bluff – the sender does not have any such footage or information. The emails are merely a fraudulent attempt to scare victims into paying up.
Here is how the “Hello Perv” emails will look:
Subject: Hi perv. I recorded you masturbating! I have captured ‘ .mp4’!
ATTN:
THIS IS NOT A JOKE – I AM DEAD SERIOUS!
Hi perv,
The last time you visited a p0rnographic website with teens, you downloaded and installed software I developed.
My program has turned on your camera and recorded the process of your masturbation.
My software has also downloaded all your email contact lists and a list of your friends on Facebook.
I have both the ‘*********.mp4’ with your masturbation as well as a file with all your contacts on my hard drive.
You are very perverted!
If you want me to delete both the files and keep the secret, you must send me Bitcoin payment. I give you 72 hours for payment.
If you don’t know how to send Bitcoins, visit Google.
Send 2.000 USD to this Bitcoin address immediately:
3JkyLvpShtrCRFyxnooCD7dQ6n4oBmVtD7 (copy and paste)
1 BTC = 3,580 USD right now, so send exactly 0.567380 BTC to the address provided above.
Do not try to cheat me! As soon as you open this Email I will know you opened it.
This Bitcoin address is linked to you only, so I will know if you sent the correct amount. When you pay in full, I will remove the files and deactivate my program.
If you don’t send the payment, I will send your masturbation video to ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES from your contact list I hacked.
You саn visit police but nobody will help you. I know what I am doing. I don’t live in your country and I know how to stay anonymous.
Don’t try to deceive me – I will know it immediately – my spy ware is recording all the websites you visit and all keys you press. If you do – I will send this ugly recording to everyone you know, including your family.
Don’t cheat me! Don’t forget the shame and if you ignore this message your life will be ruined.
I am waiting for your Bitcoin payment.
If you need more time to buy and send 0.567380 BTC, open your notepad and write ’48h plz’. I will consider giving you another 48 hours before I release the vid.
Anonymous Hacker
Some common claims made in the scam emails include:
Having video of the recipient masturbating to porn obtained through malware or activating their webcam
Access to the recipient’s contacts to send the video to if payment isn’t made
Ability to monitor the recipient’s activities through spyware or other remote access
Possession of child pornography that will be edited to include the recipient
Threats to send edited videos to friends/family if payment isn’t received in time
The sender demands payment, usually via untraceable bitcoin, to keep the footage private. Amounts demanded are often $500-$2000 or more. The emails imply grave consequences – reputation destruction, public humiliation, loss of relationships, or even legal trouble – if the demands aren’t met.
Don’t Panic – It’s a Fake Threat
Rest assured – the extortionists do not actually possess any videos or compromising information about you. These emails are sent out en masse, hoping recipients will believe the threats and pay up.
The claims made in the emails about having personal footage or contacts are complete fabrications. Any threats to release footage or send emails to contacts are empty scare tactics. You have not been hacked and your information is secure.
The senders are cybercriminals running a mass extortion racket for quick money, not sophisticated hackers who have compromised your devices. Their only power is the ability to spark fear through false claims. No real evidence exists.
How the “Hello Perv” Scam Works
To understand why you should not put any stock in the alarming claims made in sextortion emails, it’s important to examine how these scams operate.
1. Emotional Manipulation
The emails are carefully crafted to provoke strong reactions of fear, shame, or panic. Threats of releasing fabricated explicit videos to all your contacts provokes anxiety over reputation and relationships.
References to porn site visits aim to shame recipients over legal but private activities. Claims of having contacts or remote access to devices creates paranoia.
This is all intentional – scammers want to override your logic and exploit emotional responses to trick you. Remaining calm and analyzing the situation rationally reveals the scam for what it is.
2. Mass Targeting
Another sign this is a fraud: the scammers blast out these emails en masse to millions of addresses at once, rather than singling out specific individuals.
Some emails may include a supposed “password” to add legitimacy. In reality, these passwords are obtained from massive data breaches – not hacking your personal devices. Any personal details are lucky guesses or information purchased online.
With mass targeting, scammers don’t need to know anything about you specifically to threaten exposing your supposed porn habits. They just aim for quantity over quality, hoping some fraction of recipients will fall for the scam.
3. Untraceable Payments
Payment is demanded through cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. This allows scammers to remain anonymous while profiting.
Even if a victim pays, there is no incentive for the scammers to actually delete anything – which doesn’t exist anyhow. There is no way to get your money back from an untraceable wallet.
“Hello Perv” Email Scam Breakdown
To fully understand why you should not give into demands for payment, let’s walk through exactly how a typical “sextortion” scam unfolds:
1. Scammers Purchase or Compile Email Lists
Scammers first obtain large lists of email addresses through both legitimate and illegal means. These include:
Dark web sites where hacked data gets sold
Collecting emails from leaked databases online
Email lists from past scams or malware
Email extraction software targeting sites, forums, etc.
To maximize success rates, scammers may focus on emails associated with compromised passwords. Or they may target genres like “adult” sites that create embarrassment if exposed.
2. Threatening Content is Drafted
Next, the scammers craft the content of their scam email. This includes:
Frightening subject lines like “You are my victim” or “I know what you did”
Story about having video footage or contacts through hacking
specifics like Bitcoin payment amount and wallet address
Deadline of 24-48 hours before releasing footage or contacts
Warnings not to contact authorities or delete footage
The emails don’t require any personalization since they just leverage fear rather than real evidence. The same template can be reused across all recipients.
Here is how an email might look:
Subject: You are my victim.
Hello, Perv. You’ve been looking at porn sites recently . One at them had my virus on it . When u started its video, your computer downloaded and launched my malicious software. After that, I started your camera and recorded a video at u masturbating . I’ve gathered all its contacts from your computer. After that, I put together a video at your Masturbation and added videos with child porn. In my version at its video, u masturbate to sex with kids.
I’m giving u its opportunity to save your life! Below I will provide u with its address at My bitcoin wallet.
Send me 500 EURO in BTC.
BTC wlt – 1Pdf1QMXH7e9957vhMskAFKQNi79eoa9Rm, 1JVMTup4zuS1JMGXAYYRgvyr2PUmNnY6g2 (If you don’t know what bitcoin / write to buy bitcoin in Google)
You have 24 hours after reading its letter. As soon as my wallet receives its payment , its system will automatically destroy all its dirt that I made. If u need more time , open its notebook and write ” Plz 48″ In that case , u’ll have 48 hours to send me its money. If after a time, I do not see its money in my wallet . I’ll send my dirt to all your colleagues and friends right away. I can see everything u’re doing on your computer , so don’t try to trick me. If I understand that u’re just stalling, I will immediately send dirt on your contacts! Hurry u have little time, save your life!
3. Scam Emails Are Blasted Out
With email list and templates ready, the scammers send out huge volumes of the threatening sextortion emails rapidly using automated tools.
Millions of scam emails can be dispatched per day. Low costs and effort allow running this scam campaign at massive scale.
4. Recipients Panic and Pay
By preying on fear and uncertainty, a small fraction of recipients will fall for the scam and pay the bitcoin ransom right away. Even response rates under 1% generate huge profits at large email volumes.
Victims give in under the mistaken belief it’s easier or safer to pay a “small” amount rather than risk the threatened consequences. In reality, there would be no consequences from the empty threats.
5. Crypto is Laundered, Scammers Vanish
Once payments are received in the bitcoin wallets, scammers mix and launder cryptocurrency through tumblers and exchanges to cover their tracks.
With identities hidden, scammers cash out into fiat currency and disappear with the profits. Victims have no recourse to recover lost funds or hold scammers accountable.
This cycle repeats endlessly as scammers continue blasting out emails to new sets of recipients. As long as people pay, the scam continues growing more sophisticated.
What To Do If You Receive A “Sextortion” Email
If you’ve received a scary extortion email demanding bitcoin to avoid supposed embarrassment or reputation harm, here are the key steps to take:
1. Stay Calm and Don’t Act Rashly
First and foremost, take some deep breaths and approach things calmly. Scammers want you upset and panicked to override good judgment.
Collect yourself and don’t let fear or anxiety push you into anything hasty. Slow down and consider the situation objectively before deciding how to respond.
2. Look Critically at Claims Made
Carefully analyze the email contents rather than accepting claims at face value. Ask questions like:
Do they offer any concrete evidence like screenshots or video samples?
Are details vague or general enough to apply to anyone?
Would what they claim require extensive hacking skills?
Almost always, you’ll notice red flags like lack of specificity, threats but no real proof, improbable technology claims. This reveals the scam.
3. Do Not Pay Any Ransom
Regardless of how frightening an email seems, never pay the ransom or respond to demands. This only encourages and funds scammers to continue victimizing others.
Rest assured, if you ignore the email threats entirely, the supposed consequences will never materialize. The scammers have nothing on you and cannot follow through.
4. Increase Security Precautions
While you haven’t been hacked in this case, it’s smart to take some cybersecurity steps like changing passwords and being cautious of links/attachments going forward.
Use unique passwords on all accounts, enable two-factor authentication where possible, maintain updated antivirus software, and avoid clicking unknown links.
Practicing general online safety helps protect you in the unlikely event a real data breach occurs. Don’t enable remote access like RDP on any systems directly exposed online.
5. Report the Emails to Service Providers
Forward scam emails to your email provider’s abuse team (e.g. Gmail has reportphishing@google.com). Reporting helps get scam domains blacklisted to block future victims.
6. Warn Contacts If Needed
If the scam email was sent to an address also used professionally or known to contacts, it doesn’t hurt to give them a heads up that an extortion scam is going around.
Let contacts know to ignore any concerning emails they may receive, as scammers are known to CC others or send follow-ups. Stopping awareness prevents their success.
7. Don’t Communicate With the Scammers
Aside from reporting, it’s best to avoid any engagement with the scammers. Replying could confirm your email’s activity and get you targeted again. Attempts to negotiate will go nowhere.
The scammers have no real leverage over you – all they want is a quick payoff. Your silence sends a clear message the scam has failed.
Long-Term Precautions Against Future Scams
While being targeted by sextortion scammers has no relationship with your own online activities, there are still smart precautions to take going forward for general privacy and protection:
1.Use Unique Passwords
Never reuse the same password between accounts. If one service suffers a breach, this prevents scammers from accessing more accounts.
Use a password manager to generate and store strong, random unique passwords for all sites and services.
2.Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Add an extra security layer like requiring a code from an authenticator app or SMS message when logging in from a new device. This prevents unauthorized logins even if your password is compromised.
3. Be Wary of Links/Attachments
Practice caution when receiving unexpected emails with links or attachments, especially from unfamiliar senders. Hover over links to inspect destinations before clicking.
4. Run Comprehensive Antivirus Software
Maintain real-time malware/virus protection from reputable software like BitDefender, Malwarebytes, etc. Schedule periodic scans to detect any threats that slip through.
5. Don’t Allow RDP Access to Systems
Disable Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) access for any systems directly reachable online. Keep RDP confined only to your internal home network to prevent intrusions.
6. Back Up Your Data
Implement regular backups of important data to external drives or cloud storage in case any devices do get compromised in the future. Backups let you easily restore.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
Frequently Asked Questions About the “Hello Perv” Sextortion Scam Emails
Receiving a threatening “Hello Perv” sextortion email can be scary. But don’t let fear or uncertainty manipulate you. These scam emails use false claims about having explicit videos or contacts to trick you into paying bitcoin.
To understand why these alarming emails are fake extortion attempts, and help protect yourself online, here are answers to frequently asked questions:
What is the “Hello Perv” sextortion scam email?
The “Hello Perv” scam involves cybercriminals sending emails threatening to expose supposed porn viewing habits or release edited explicit videos unless payment is sent. These sextortion emails pretend to have compromising footage/info obtained through hacking, spyware or other made-up means. In reality, it’s a fraud – they don’t have anything.
How do I recognize a sextortion scam email?
These emails often have subject lines like “You are my victim” or “I know what you did”. They claim to have videos of you watching porn or masturbating by hacking your webcam. Threats are made to send footage to your contacts unless you pay a ransom in bitcoin. No proof is offered though, just intimidation.
What are some typical claims made in the scam emails?
Some common fake claims are having footage from your webcam, accessing your contacts to email the video, editing you into child pornography, using malware/spyware for surveillance, demanding bitcoin payment within 24-48 hours or else contacts will receive video.
Do the scammers actually have compromising videos/info about me?
No, the scammers do not actually have any videos, images, or contacts related to you. These are complete lies designed to scare you into paying. The emails are sent randomly to millions of addresses without any hacking or targeting. There is no real evidence, just empty threats.
How do the scammers obtain emails to send sextortion scams?
Scammers purchase emails in bulk on the dark web, harvest them from breached databases online, or extract them from websites. They target indiscriminately for maximum coverage, rather than gathering any intelligence on recipients. Any personal details dropped are just lucky guesses or public info.
Why do the scammers demand payment in Bitcoin?
Bitcoin allows scammers to receive ransom payments anonymously. Even if you pay, there’s no way to recover the funds or identify the scammer. Unlike bank transfers, cryptocurrency transactions are not reversible.
What should I do if I receive a sextortion email?
First, remain calm and don’t act rashly. Take time to examine the email critically – you’ll notice inconsistencies revealing it’s fake. Never pay any ransom no matter how threatening the email seems. Simply ignore the scammers completely and increase your general online security precautions.
Can I report the sextortion scam emails?
Yes, forward any scam emails to your email provider’s abuse team to hopefully get the sender blacklisted. You can also report to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (https://apwg.org/). Reporting helps protect others from receiving the scam.
How can I protect myself from sextortion scams in the future?
Use strong unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, maintain updated antivirus software, back up your data, and avoid clicking unknown links. Never reuse passwords between sites. Being wary of links/attachments from unfamiliar senders helps avoid malware.
Should I feel embarrassed or ashamed if I received one of these emails?
Absolutely not. Scammers send these randomly without any specific targets, not because of anything you did. Don’t let them intimidate you over legal private activities. Focus on the facts – the scammers have no actual evidence or power over you.
What should I do if the scammers email my contacts?
First off, try not to panic, as it’s unlikely the scammers would actually take the time to email your contacts with fake videos. If they did, immediately warn your contacts that an extortion scam is being spread and to disregard any concerning emails they may have received.
The Bottom Line
Receiving a threatening sextortion email can be a scary experience, but don’t let fear or uncertainty manipulate you. These scams rely entirely on intimidation tactics and false claims to trick you into paying up.
Rest assured you have not been hacked or compromised based on the email alone. The scammers have no evidence or video footage – just empty threats designed to sound alarming.
By remaining calm, avoiding any ransom payment, and continuing general online precautions, you can move on safely. Report any scam emails to providers and warn contacts to maintain awareness.
Lastly, don’t feel any shame about legal online habits – we all have a right to privacy. The scammers aim only to intimidate and exploit. By focusing on facts and not acting rashly, their scam will fail and you can prevent them from profiting off the next person.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
Meet Thomas Orsolya
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
