What is Shameware? Beware of "I Know Something Else About You" Scam!
By
Staten Island, NY Posted: 10/24/2021 8:00:00 AM
BEWARE of SHAMEWARE!
As a tech guy, people come from me from time to time with some pretty unique questions. Shameware caught me off guard completely.
My first experience was when somebody told me they received an email asking for money or they would share nude photos of them to all their friends and family. They didn't explain why they felt somebody had those kinds of photos, so I didn't ask.
I didn't know anything about the scam back then and my biggest question was why they felt anyone would even have such photos in the first place, other than to think that the person was married to or dating somebody who was into taking such photos (with or without consent).
Several months later, several more people, including an 85 year old man, who received similar emails actually forwarded them to me, and then I discovered a pattern and realized these people weren't married to or dating people who were photographing them, and no photos were actually taken.
In a nutshell, the whole thing is based on a lie... The scammer doesn't actually have any photos, but they make the victim believe them by showing them a password they downloaded from an unrelated hacked website in the subject line.
The very fact the scammer shows them a "secret" password, they grab the reader's attention and make them assume the rest of the email is true, and that sets the stage for them to say just about anything and make the victim believe it.
Here's how the scam works:
1. The scammer downloads a list of email addresses and passwords that were stolen from various websites.
2. The scammer sends an email to each person on the list, with the persons private password as the title.
3. When the victim sees their own password as the title of an email, so they read the email which tells them that they not only know their password, but have hacked their computer and installed some sort of software that turned on their camera while they were viewing adult sites and that they intend to send photos and videos with all their friends and family unless they receive a payment within 24 hours via Bitcoin (which can't be traced).
4. Since they saw their own password in the title, they assume the scammer actually hacked their computer and did, in fact, photograph them nude while on adult sites.
What should you do?
If you get an email like this...Your first step is to DELETE IT!
Your next step is to consider changing as many passwords as you can, because although the scammer lied about having photos of you, they do actually have at least one of your passwords.
Here's an example of a typical Shameware email:
Quote:
Your password is (*****). I know a lot more thngs about you than that.
How?
I placed a malware on the porn website and guess what, you visited this web site to have fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching the video, your web browser acted as an RDP (Remote Desktop) and a keylogger, which proided me access to your display screen and webcam. Right after that, my software gathered all your contacts from your Messenger, Facebook account, and email account.
What exactly did I do?
I made a split-screen video. The first part recorded the video you were viewing (you'e got an exceptional taste haha), and the next part recorded your webcam (Yep! t's you \ doing nasty things!).
What should you do?
Well, I believe, $2000 is a fair price for our little secret. You'll make the payment via Bitcoin to the below address (if you don't know this, search "how to buy Bitcoin" in Google).
Bitcoin Address: (************)
(It is cAsE sensitive, so copy and paste it)
Important:
You have 24 hours to make the payment. (I have a unique pixel within this email message, and right now I know that you have read this email). If I don't get the payment, I will send your video to all of your contacts, including relatives, coworkers, and so forth. Nonetheless, if I do get paid, I will erase the video immediately. If you want evidence, reply with "Yes!" and I will send your video recording to your five friends. This is a non-negotiable offer, so don't waste my time and yours by replying to this email.
The best way to end this scam is to spread the word
Don't let this scam scare people any longer. Share the video or a link to this blog post.
#ShameWare #CyberSecurity #ScamAlert #IdeaOfTheDay #OnlineSafety #IdeaOfTheDay
Joe Crescenzi, Founder
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