Beware the “We Have Full Access To Your Device” Email Scam
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
The “We Have Full Access To Your Device” email scam is a deceptive phishing campaign targeting many innocent victims. This fraudulent email threatens to encrypt devices and leak private data to extort money. Here’s what you need to know about recognizing and stopping this scam.
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Overview of the Scam
The “We Have Full Access To Your Device” scam email starts off claiming the criminals have full access to the recipient’s device and all personal information. It asserts that all files are encrypted and activity is being monitored.
The message goes on to threaten that the only way to regain access to the hijacked device and data is by paying a ransom fee of $3,500 or more in Bitcoin or Ethereum within an unspecified deadline.
It warns that failure to comply will result in permanent loss of data, files and devices being sold publicly, and extensive damage through this illegal remote access. Of course these are complete lies meant to provoke panic into paying the ransom.
In reality, the scammers have not compromised anyone’s device or installed malware able to encrypt systems. This is a deceitful phishing ploy aimed at extorting money by exploiting confusion and fear around hacking. Here’s an example:
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION!!!
Dear,
It may interest you to know that we have full access to your device and all your information data. All your files are encrypted and we are monitoring everything you do right now. The only way you can be free from us and get you device and data back safely if by following our instructions. Otherwise, you cant return your data (NEVER) and will regret it everyday.
Its just a business. We absolutely do not care about you and your deals, except getting benefits. If we do not do our work and liabilities – nobody will cooperate with us. Its not in our interests to keep your files or information data. We will crash your device and sell your Data in the puplic space if you fail to comply with us. To check the ability of returning files, we decrypt one file for free. That is our guarantee. If you will not cooperate with us it does not matter, but you will lose your device and data. We are aware that your data is worth more than the fee we are asking for, when we put it up for sale in the public space.
This is what the “We Have Full Access” phishing email looks like. Here’s how the criminals carry out this deceitful extortion scheme.
How the “We Have Full Access To Your Device” Email Scam Works
The cybercriminals behind this scam rely on devious social engineering techniques to extort money from victims. Here is the step-by-step process:
1. Obtain Email Addresses
Scammers acquire enormous lists of potential targets through various deceitful means, including:
Buying stolen email lists on the black market dark web
Hacking into databases and websites to steal user account information
Using email harvesting tools to scrape addresses found online
Exploiting vulnerabilities in websites to access contact data
Getting email lists leaked from data breaches
Large batches of emails allow them to launch wide-scale scam campaigns.
2. Spoof the Sender’s Email Address
The scammers disguise where the email truly originates from using technical spoofing tricks. They alter the message header so the “From” address shows a legitimate business rather than their own shady address.
The professional appearance makes the email seem authentic and lends credibility to the claims and threats made in the scam message.
3. Craft an Alarming Extortion Email
The phishing email is carefully composed to provoke fear and urgency. The criminals pretend to have already hacked into devices and installed malware allowing remote access.
The message threatens permanent loss of data and systems unless the ransom is promptly paid. Scammers may even pretend to decrypt a file for free as supposed “proof” of their capabilities. Psychological coercion is applied via repeated stern warnings against non-compliance or contacting authorities.
4. Demand Untraceable Ransom Payment
The scammers insist on payment through anonymous cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum to receive funds while avoiding traces. The email includes wallet addresses and specifies the demanded dollar amount, ranging from $500 to $5000+.
Untraceable crypto ransom allows panicked victims to easily pay up while stopping short of riskier bank wire transactions. This enables the criminals to more readily collect payments without revealing identifying information.
5. Wait for Victims to Pay Up
After blasting out countless intimidating phishing emails, the scammers simply await payments to roll in from frightened recipients who believe the threats. Even a 0.5% response rate nets huge profits from large enough scam campaigns.
The crooks never actually carry out threats of leaking or selling data, or crashing devices, since the entire extortion premise is fabricated. Their sole aim is to trick victims out of money by capitalizing on confusion and fear.
What to Do If You’re Targeted by This Scam
Here are important steps to take if you receive this “We Have Full Access To Your Device” phishing email demanding Bitcoin or Ethereum:
Don’t Pay the Ransom
Regardless of how credible or intimidating the email seems, do not pay the ransom under any circumstances. The scammers cannot actually restrict access to your data or systems. Paying them will only finance more criminal extortion attempts on other victims.
Report the Email as Phishing
Forward the scam email to your email provider’s abuse department so they can block the fraudulent account. Reporting these phishing scams helps authorities disrupt the operations.
Run Anti-Virus Software
It’s highly unlikely any malware is installed or encryption activated as claimed, but running an anti-virus scan doesn’t hurt. Make sure your security software is up-to-date to catch the latest threats.
Monitor Accounts Closely
Carefully check bank & credit statements to ensure no unauthorized payments were made. Look for any suspicious activity that could indicate a genuine compromise, like unknown login attempts, just to stay vigilant.
Ignore Follow-Up Extortion Emails
If the first scam email goes unpaid, the crooks may blast out more threats demanding bitcoin or ethereum. Continue to ignore these demands – do not engage with the frauds.
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 “We Have Full Access To Your Device” Scam
This phishing scam raises many concerns. Here are comprehensive answers to key questions recipients have about the fraudulent device hacking email:
What exactly is the “We Have Full Access” email crypto scam?
This is a phishing scam where criminals send messages claiming to have already hacked devices to encrypt files and systems. The email threatens permanent loss of data unless a bitcoin/ethereum ransom is promptly paid. But it’s completely fabricated with no real hacking.
How does the “Full Access” crypto extortion scam work?
The email claims remote hacking access was achieved enabling video monitoring, file encryption, device crashing, etc. It threatens selling off stolen data publicly unless the ransom is paid in untraceable cryptocurrency within a short deadline. No actual damage occurs.
Are the hackers’ claims in the “Full Access” email real?
No, the scammers have not compromised anyone’s device, encrypted files, accessed private data, or installed malware as claimed. No real evidence exists of remote access or stolen information. It’s all lies intended to trick victims into paying crypto ransoms out of fear.
Should I pay the ransom the “Full Access” email demands?
No, never pay ransoms to unknown scammers, especially through anonymous cryptocurrency. Their hacking claims are completely fabricated to manipulate you. Paying them will only enable these phishing scams to persist at higher volumes.
What if I already paid the bitcoin ransom from the “Full Access” email?
If you did already pay, contact your bank and the crypto exchange you used to see if the transaction can be stopped, reversed or refunded. You can also report it to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
How are the scammers sending the fake “Full Access” email?
These phishing scams blast out thousands of emails acquired illegally through hacking databases, malware attacks, credential stuffing, exploiting websites, and other deceitful tactics. Stolen contacts get sold online and leaked from data breaches too.
How can I recognize this “Full Access” phishing scam?
Look for demands of untraceable crypto payment within short deadlines, threats of files being encrypted/sold, claims of unauthorized remote access with no evidence, stern warnings against contacting authorities, and other telltale phishing indicators.
What should I do if I get the “Full Access” extortion email?
Do not pay any ransom. Report the email as phishing to your provider and relevant cybersecurity authorities. Run antivirus scans and reset account passwords as a precaution. Closely monitor bank statements for any suspicious activity too.
How can I avoid becoming a victim of this scam?
Using strong unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping software updated, and being vigilant against phishing can help protect you. Robust endpoint security solutions, firewalls, intrusion detection programs, and staff training are also beneficial precautions against cybercrime.
Who can I contact if I’m targeted by this “Full Access” scam?
You can report these phishing scams to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (info@apwg.org), Google Safe Browsing, PhishTank, and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov). Reporting cyber extortion helps law enforcement agencies build cases against organized scamming networks.
The Bottom Line
The “We Have Full Access To Your Device” email scam preys on victims’ cybersecurity fears around hacking and data theft. But in reality, the scammers haven’t accessed anyone’s systems – they simply hope to trick recipients through deception and threats.
Recognize these messages as fraudulent extortion attempts. Avoid falling for ransom payment demands, report the phishing scams, and implement stronger security best practices. Make others aware of these cybercriminal tactics to help prevent further victims.
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.
