You May Not Know Me Email Scam

What is "You may not know me"?

The "You may not know me" scam is proliferated using the 'spoofing' method: scammers falsify email addresses to make it seem as if recipients of emails are also senders.

Cyber criminals send this email to many people hoping that some will fall for the scam and pay a ransom to prevent distribution of a compromising video. In fact, the video does not exist. This is a common scam used to extort money from users. These emails should not be trusted and the best option is simply to ignore them.

Scammers behind the "You may not know me" email state that they have 'cracked' the recipient's device (supposedly a computer) and hacked the email account. They also claim that they infected the computer with malware when the user was visiting an adult website.

They go on to state that this malicious program is capable of working as a remote access tool, which allows "hackers" to access the user's webcam and monitor all computing activities. Furthermore, these cyber criminals also claim that they have stolen passwords, logins, contacts, and files.

The main goal of this email is to make recipients believe that an embarrassing video was recorded while they were visiting an adult website and watching a video containing adult content. Scammers make threats to proliferate the recorded video (send it to all of the recipient's contacts) unless their ransom demands are met (money is paid).

The cost for them to take no action (and not distribute the video) is $695, which must be paid in Bitcoins using a provided Bitcoin wallet address. The deadline is 48 hours. If they are not paid within this time, they state that they will distribute the recorded video.

They promise to delete the video as soon as payment is received, and also warn users not to try to contact any authorities. As mentioned in our introduction, this is simply a scam and emails of this type should never be trusted or taken seriously.

"You may not know me" is just one of many scams and very similar to We Are Not Going To Steal A Lot Of Time, I Am A Spyware Software Developer, and So I'm The Hacker Who Broke Your Email. 

Most are used to extort money from people by making threats, however, scammers also use email campaigns to infect computers with viruses - they send emails that contain malicious attachments.

In these cases, they often trick email recipients into opening the included attachment, which is usually a Microsoft Office document or PDF document, archive file, executable (.exe), or other file. By opening the malicious attachment, users trigger download and installation of a computer infection (such as LokiBot, TrickBot, Emotet, AZORult, Adwind, and so on).

Cyber criminals use these email campaigns to infect computers with viruses designed to steal personal details such as logins and passwords, banking details, or to spread other infections such as ransomware. In this way, they attempt to proliferate malicious programs that record information, which is used to generate revenue.

Users with computers infected with viruses of this type often experience problems relating to financial losses, privacy, browsing safety, and so on.

We receive a great deal of feedback from concerned users about this scam email. Here is the most popular question we receive:

Q: Hi pcrisk.com team, I received an email stating that my computer was hacked and they have a video of me. Now they are asking for a ransom in Bitcoins. I think this must be true because they listed my real name and password in the email. What should I do?

A: Do not worry about this email. Neither hackers nor cyber criminals have infiltrated/hacked your computer and there is no video of you watching pornography. Simply ignore the message and do not send any Bitcoins. Your email, name, and password was probably stolen from a compromised website such as  Yahoo (these website breaches are common). If you are concerned, you can check if your accounts have been compromised by visiting the haveibeenpwned website.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

To proliferate or install computer infections, malicious attachments must first be opened. Archive file (such as ZIP, RAR, etc.) must be extracted and the included file executed (opened), whilst executable files must be executed, and so on. If the attachment is a Microsoft Office document, once opened, it asks for permission to enable macro commands.

If these commands are enabled, the malicious document downloads and installs a computer infection. Generally, computers cannot be harmed without opening attachments presented in emails sent cyber criminals via spam email campaigns.

How to avoid installation of malware?

If you receive an email from an unknown/suspicious sender containing an irrelevant attachment, do not open it without first carefully studying the message. Download software using official and trustworthy sources only. Avoid using third party software downloaders and installers, since these are often monetized by promoting rogue applications.

Install software with care and check "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar settings. In some cases, software developers use the "bundling" method, and thus potentially unwanted applications are hidden within download/installation settings. Update software using tools or implemented functions provided by official developers.

Fake software updaters should not be used, since they proliferate potentially unwanted, rogue applications. You are advised to use Microsoft Office 2010 or later, since older versions do not include "Protected View" mode, which prevents downloaded documents (malicious email attachments) from downloading and installing malware.

If you have already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the "You may not know me" email message:

Subject: Everton prepared to let trio leave the club in January with James... tepyim

 

Dear alt.karl@gmx.de

 

You may not know me and you are probably wondering why you are getting this e mail, right?
I'm a hacker who cracked your devices a few months ago.
I sent you an email from YOUR hacked account.
I setup a malware on the adult vids (porno) web-site and guess what, you visited this site to have fun (you know what I mean).
While you were watching videos, your internet browser started out functioning as a RDP (Remote Control) having a keylogger which gave me accessibility to your screen and web cam.
after that, my software program obtained all of your contacts and files.

You entered a passwords on the websites you visited, and I intercepted it.

Of course you can will change it, or already changed it.
But it doesn't matter, my malware updated it every time.

What did I do?

I created a double-screen video. 1st part shows the video you were watching (you've got a good taste haha . . .), and 2nd part shows the recording of your web cam.

Do not try to find and destroy my virus! (All your data is already uploaded to a remote server)
– Do not try to contact with me
– Various security services will not help you; formatting a disk or destroying a device will not help either, since your data is already on a remote server.

I guarantee you that I will not disturb you again after payment, as you are not my single victim. This is a hacker code of honor.

Don’t be mad at me, everyone has their own work.
exactly what should you do?

Well, in my opinion, $695 (USD) is a fair price for our little secret. You'll make the payment by Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search "how to buy bitcoin" in Google).

My Bitcoin wallet Address:
1KpioVDQJ47uQ8vepwwtaKDwUpyWLXV8cJ, 1AgexGi34oNAHXS9vs8ZrtKw5ULkV1LoWg, 1s21MkGGWRP1eeGj5UQZVM97yRdEHojgd, 1AzVpAbxm9ASVKnXyJ8PwccmK9KYo1x6fA, 19utGeSLKhvj9zVrRjy2axBqZ222eg3Hni, 1K4JEY74c5puP86EPKo6HmNrB571kT8kG2, 1Hi47wpCrN2joKSoEcRXBhvtpe9Vu8X1cJ, 16ohM4oFgd4iy3SQWTptMrF6RvryYXAX9F, 12wmxvfVgcG8hwZjLqaBohxP8AWk6bodgH, 19Eqn33cA15qg9niSxBonDHQSu4bLfqAtS, 1HoajV32DBeSe98QYCMMX5oEqU9iy8c7Wa, 1Ep8dntVe4D63YuHnGcq52gVA4rCj1jaTP, 1Hp1rDtB6cZ5xWtMhbx58p7MDvRSkXRjfS, 18xueRUcw7WiHcfcr4Lt4P8Eee3DrnxX3c, 16NSUU3NXh9GtGGVnjvavSk1aUB6Fz7pSF, 13ohHyBiBgsinkNkhyqDHZDTvdALzHqV2V, 1HmWB1LMugSxyffThnxzqiq6q3gknChiMq, 1HMsu3Dg3ocegPN2psqQtnsgZESeHVuxmN

(It is cAsE sensitive, so copy and paste it)

Important:
You have 48 hour in order to make the payment. (I've a facebook pixel in this mail, and at this moment I know that you have read through this email message).
To track the reading of a message and the actions in it, I use the facebook pixel.
Thanks to them. (Everything that is used for the authorities can help us.)
If I do not get the BitCoins, I will certainly send out your video recording to all of your contacts including relatives, coworkers, and so on. Having said that, if I receive the payment, I'll destroy the video immidiately.
If you need evidence, reply with "Yes!" and I will certainly send out your video recording to your 6 contacts. It is a non-negotiable offer, that being said don't waste my personal time and yours by responding to this message.

Another variant of "You May Not Know Me" email:

Text presented within this message:

Subject: This account has been hacked! Change your password right now!

 

You may not know me and you are probably wondering why you are getting this e mail, right?
I’m a hacker who cracked your email and devices a few months ago.

Do not try to contact me or find me, it is impossible, since I sent you an email from YOUR hacked account.
I setup a malware on the adult vids (porno) web-site and guess what, you visited this site to have fun (you know what I mean).
While you were watching videos, your internet browser started out functioning as a RDP (Remote Control) having a keylogger which gave me accessibility to your screen and web cam.
After that, my software program obtained all information.

You entered a passwords on the websites you visited, and I intercepted it.
Of course you can will change it, or already changed it.
But it doesn’t matter, my malware updated it every time.
What did I do?

I backuped device. All files and contacts.
I created a double-screen video. 1st part shows the video you were watching (you’ve got a good taste haha . . .), and 2nd part shows the recording of your web cam.
exactly what should you do?
Well, in my opinion, $1000 (USD) is a fair price for our little secret. You’ll make the payment by Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search “how to buy bitcoin” in Google).
My Bitcoin wallet Address:
1Mbwc2qwfrKjWS2N83wmohbHUtr35HKgNe, 19vBDAb9FtqDsCoTK3WUgmo2XhujJWVMsU, 1FeTKB65csAWpzzE1MMBAkeiGeXt1ri3wx, 1PySaTv351ess2WFYRqVynNTmopzWcTzMY, 1HVssPWk1x258c3KYKpKMpvqCsSiUjfxwc, 1L7AuiXQGCqokVWy8icWCAoQwuKzTiLwyi, 1JEzeyg5wNBAS8y6c3LWh1ARU9JWZibWLS, 196FGBPW7JzPNCNjRZLtvpn3s6Ugppgdt1, 1LW3mco8pzBhJMpZJDeFeqx1oEpQcsF3r5, 15tGCMyPbDq4sJMV1Dhh5h5Mv9gYub7p7U, 1CVWM8m5ZMnVWc2SWYQ11hErrLSeHm1GsD, 14ReGPgZkGbhD43vAySr5GfkGWLUGuNBUZ, 1PAtx9bqa398TnSoXd2f1P8CKev71XbtCv, 1QHvYpm82AE4zE4FCHAhRwcV4WkR6qsG4
(It is cAsE sensitive, so copy and paste it)

Important:
You have 48 hour in order to make the payment. (I’ve a unique pixel in this e mail, and at this moment I know that you have read through this email message).
To track the reading of a message and the actions in it, I use the facebook pixel.
Thanks to them. (Everything that is used for the authorities can help us.) If I do not get the BitCoins, I will certainly send out your video recording to all of your contacts including relatives, coworkers, and so on.

Another variant of "You May Not Know Me" spam email:

Text presented within this email:

Hi, this account was infected! Modify the password immediately!
You may not know me me and you obviously are most likely surprised why you're receiving this particular email, proper?
I'mhacker who exploitedyour emailand OStwo months ago.
Do not waste your time and make an attempt to get in touch with me or try to find me, in fact it's impossible, since I sent you this message using YOUR hacked account.
I've build in spyware on the adult vids (porno) site and guess that you have watched this website to enjoy it (think you understand what I mean).
Whilst you were keeping an eye on films, your internet browser started out functioning like a RDP (Remote Control) with a keylogger that granted me access to your display and web camera.
Next step, my programgatheredall info.
You have put passcodes on the online resources you visited, and I caught all of them.
Without a doubt, you'll be able to modify them, or perhaps already changed them.
However it doesn't matter, my app renews it regularly.
And what did I do?
I generated a reserve copy of your device. Of each file and contacts.
I created a dual-screen record. The 1 part reveals the clip that you were watching (you have a good preferences, haha...), and the 2nd screen shows the movie from your own web camera.
What must you do?
Clearly, in my opinion, 500 USD is a inexpensive price for our little secret. You'll do the deposit by bitcoins (if you don't know this, go searching “how to buy bitcoin” in Google).
My bitcoin wallet address:
1ECEpaRhUMf5RG9TDxT2Hrg8dyQ41qxTc6, 1KP8QyvSwqWhndEnjaPHxjvQugkQ79q91P, 1FsDGqSSYcW9RwaAoZWE9Gg5V5EYYuVWKy, 1C2QQxwBqSc6rJvdeTTw9AmdJWud9y3Lwk, 12q4HmZZg13BpPEnMYmHUjXxevG3FbULFL, 186TdQEpbuACMNEHwAiYGk6uu2D8CkNqEF, 12HzaNqdS7388WCwoiAASPeuar1yotv9Ex, 18CfWDPYMEvpCPwctsqH1zhiK3FxwozSBv, 14AgiVgfNwgY8ZbvxvRRrc1vz2FhjAbhhJ, 1Npfaku5BghWwWqRBrxKQC2w2naM1cbdnB, 1CpJ3iCbe77tzg7q2JwJfgH72BeouZ38aA, 1xikfj4pTXsJvinHcaPvGgi2w7e5KrB2d, 193qGHXBucC4pVyYZKsGEBVjBFWfktRBbF, 1PUvTwDNJDfPPFJsT1eDScL1HMtW1RCjb9
(It is cAsE sensitive, so copy and paste it).
Attention:
You will have 48 hours in order to make the payment. (I have an exclusive pixel to this e-mail, and right now I know that you've read through this email).
To trackthe reading of a letterand the actionswithin it, I utilizea Facebook pixel. Thanks to them. (The stuff thatcan be usedfor the authorities may helpus.)

If I do not get bitcoins, I shall immediately direct your videofile to each of your contacts, including relatives, co-workers, etcetera.

Yet another variant of "You May Not Know Me" email spam campaign:

Text presented within this email:

Hello.

You may not know me and you are probably wondering why you are getting this email, right?
I've been observation you for a few two months.

You can check it - I sent this message from your account ******

The fact is that you were infected with malware through an adult site that you visited.

After that, I made a full dump of your disk (I have all your address book, history of viewing sites, all files, phone numbers and addresses of all your contacts).

If you are not familiar with this. I'll tell you. With the help of a virus, I can control every action on your devices

This means that I can see everything on your screen, turn on the camera and microphone, but you do not know about it.

Why your antivirus did not detect malware? answer: My malware uses the driver, I update its signatures every 3 hours so that your antivirus is silent.
I made a video showing how you satisfy yourself in the left half of the screen, and in the right half you see the video that you watched.

With one click of the mouse, I can send this video to all your emails and contacts.
If you want to prevent this, transfer the amount of $754 to my bitcoin address
(if you do not know how to do this, write to Google: "Buy Bitcoin").
My bitcoin address (BTC Wallet) is: 1Q2pVgd9YradB42risptr8tsydKrVDSD2A

After receiving the payment, I will delete the video and you will never hear me again. I give you 48 hours to pay.
I have a notice reading this letter, and the timer will work when you see this letter.
Filing a complaint somewhere does not make sense because this email cannot be tracked like my bitcoin address.
I do not make any mistakes.

If I find that you have shared this message with someone else, the video will be immediately distributed.

Updated variants of these scam emails are using an image instead of text, bitcoin address has a QR code next to it:

Bitcoin addresses used in this spam campaign:

• 1BHKshzCyC13XsbwmaT1apubiUuWvBxPsu
• 1KkbnKU17jevepbTUh2eNsLZu4s3qDDc7R
• 1C1Zx9VgKECALuK4pfcH8qMkjxRFx4bdyH
• 1KJmbnch5pcKqWJY3j2B6k4ySUVAY9L4A6
• 1HdoWSBZmcqB2tt8t7Rnz2ENHnt6sZq64w
• 1CXg6o3seAqWUCuXb6WYCQhcFhug8Q9EUe
• 17c1VuW1mP7czvJwHQuUbWTFV8D9iiMp8Z
• 12u3v7rcDpHwTNeQ2HEmEfh2kPYP3sNy4n
• 1DWiCneJrkoJ3P8JG7jWyhqPhH1DkDS5Xw
• 128ue8W9eTH3p9CAE7R3DgPUTJZvc1AiRq
• 1FTGAPnfQG8MY744mgGPDPWTRcXtm9dqsM
• 1HPPRMMBe89D91PEKKDKGy5xu74EHTawTJ
• 164hA3Gpa9SwCnKjW2mskQxtsQ8F18iE8c
• 164qrVEm4Q2EExX8FL9sxqZan1ZAd7R6zk
• 1C3tfuSXcm49cCRxVKqLzGS5KaFgvvRQmH
• 1G2E4fDtrMF4S8XwUnsbKDvKyct3YMReH6
• 1H1tXqjXW7NXQA6VEfUEWPpsHN6Sw7gQmT
• 1Q2pVgd9YradB42risptr8tsydKrVDSD2A

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Types of malicious emails:

If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file from a suspicious email, run a full system scan with Combo Cleaner. If you only received the email and didn't engage with it, you don't need to scan anything - just identify the scam and delete it. The full procedure below covers both situations and what to do if you already clicked, replied, or sent money.

Credential theft Phishing emails

Fake login pages disguised as PayPal, Microsoft, Apple, banks, or social networks. The email pushes a link to a near-perfect copy of the real login screen. The moment you type your username and password, the attacker has them.

Common subject lines

• "Action required: confirm your account"
• "Your password expires today"
• "Unusual sign-in attempt detected"
• "Verify your billing information"

Malware delivery Emails with malicious attachments

Trojans hidden inside fake invoices, faxes, shipping confirmations, or Office documents. Opening the attachment runs the payload and infects the system - often with an info-stealer or remote-access trojan.

Common subject lines

• "Invoice INV-2026-XXXX attached"
• "Fax received - 3 pages"
• "Your shipping document is ready"
• "Voicemail from +1-XXX-XXX-XXXX"

Extortion Sextortion emails

Fake claims of webcam recordings demanding cryptocurrency. Almost always a bluff: the attacker pulls a real password from an old data breach to make the threat look credible, then claims to have video of you. They have no recording and no access.

Common subject lines

• "I know your password is XXXX"
• "Your account has been hacked"
• "I have recorded you - 48 hours to pay"
• "You have been compromised"

Callback fraud Refund & callback scams

"Your subscription was renewed for $499 - call to cancel." Norton, McAfee, Geek Squad, PayPal, and Wells Fargo variants are all common. There's no real subscription. The phone number in the email connects directly to the scammer, who walks you through "refunding" yourself - which is actually them stealing money from your bank.

Common subject lines

• "Norton subscription auto-renewed - $499.99"
• "McAfee Total Protection invoice"
• "Geek Squad order confirmation"
• "Your PayPal payment is being processed"

Credential theft Account suspension & verification scams

"Your account will be deleted in 24 hours - verify now." The artificial deadline is the whole point: it pressures you to click before checking details. The "verify" link goes to a phishing page styled to look like the real provider.

Common subject lines

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Suspicious activity detected - verify now"
• "Final warning: account closure"
• "Action required to keep your account active"

Mixed payload Delivery & package scams

Fake DHL, USPS, UPS, or FedEx tracking, customs fees, or "package undeliverable" notices. Targets anyone expecting a parcel - the timing alone catches many people. The link hides either phishing (asking for card details to "release" the package) or a malware download.

Common subject lines

• "Your DHL package is held at customs"
• "USPS - delivery attempt failed"
• "FedEx tracking update - action required"
• "Pay $2.99 redelivery fee to release your parcel"

Remote access Tech support scams

Fake Microsoft, Apple, or "Windows Defender" security alerts pushing a phone number. Real Microsoft and Apple never email a phone number to call. The number connects you to a scammer who asks for remote access to "fix" the imaginary problem and then demands payment.

Common subject lines

• "Microsoft Defender expired - renew now"
• "Apple ID security alert"
• "Critical: virus detected on your PC"
• "Windows license expired - call now"

Wire fraud Advance-fee scams

Inheritance, lottery wins, romance, or business deals that ask for a small fee to release a much larger sum. The classic "Nigerian prince" 419 family of frauds. Once you pay the first fee, more fees appear (taxes, lawyer, transfer charges) until you stop paying. The promised money never exists.

Common subject lines

• "Inheritance from a relative you didn't know about"
• "You won the international lottery"
• "URGENT - business proposal worth $XX million"
• "Compensation fund release for fraud victims"

Wire fraud Business email compromise (BEC)

CEO impersonation asking employees to wire money or buy gift cards, or fake supplier invoices with newly "updated" bank details for payment redirection. The email often spoofs a real internal executive's display name and uses an external lookalike domain.

Common subject lines

• "Quick task - need you to buy gift cards"
• "Updated banking details for invoice payment"
• "Wire transfer request - urgent"
• "Are you available?" (CEO impersonation opener)

How to spot a malicious email?

Phase 1~ 2 min

Spot - identify the red flags

---

1

Check the sender's actual address, not the display name

30 sec

The display name (the human-readable part) is trivial to fake. Always check the full address that comes after it. Common red flags:

• Domain mismatch - service@paypa1.com, support@micros0ft-help.com, look-alike domains using digits or extra hyphens
• Free-email impersonation - any "official" message from a bank, courier, or platform sent from a @gmail.com, @outlook.com, or @yahoo.com address
• Reply-To mismatch - the From address looks legitimate but Reply-To points somewhere completely different

Why this matters

Real companies own their domains and send mail from them. A "DHL" message from a Gmail address is never legitimate, regardless of how convincing the body looks.

2

Watch for urgency, threats, and generic greetings

30 sec

Scams almost always rush you. The point is to make you act before you think. Treat any of the following as a strong signal:

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Final notice" / "Immediate action required"
• "Dear Customer" or "Dear User" instead of your real name
• Threats of fines, account closure, legal action, or arrest
• Promises of refunds, prizes, or money you didn't earn
• Spelling and grammar mistakes in messages claiming to come from a major brand

3

Hover over every link before clicking

30 sec

On a desktop, hover the mouse over the link without clicking. The real destination shows in the bottom-left status bar of your browser or email client. On a phone, long-press the link to preview the URL.

• Real Microsoft, PayPal, or bank links go to those exact domains, not redirects through unrelated sites
• Shortened URLs (bit.ly, tinyurl, t.co) hide the real destination - never click them in unsolicited mail
• The visible link text and the actual URL must match - mismatches are the single biggest phishing red flag

Pro tip

When in doubt, don't click the link. Open a new browser tab and type the company's address yourself, then log in normally. If there really is an issue with your account, you'll see it there.

4

Treat unexpected attachments as hostile

30 sec

If you didn't ask for the file, don't open it - even if it appears to come from someone you know. Categories that should never be opened from email without verification through another channel:

• .exe, .scr, .iso, .img, .vbs, .bat - executables, never legitimate attachments
• .docx, .xlsx, .pptx with "Enable macros" prompts - the macros run the malware
• .pdf with "Click here to view" buttons - usually a phishing redirect, not a real document
• .zip, .rar, .7z archives, especially password-protected ones - the password defeats the email scanner

Phase 2~ 2 min

Report and delete - if you haven't engaged

---

If you only received the email and didn't reply, click, or open anything, the steps below are all you need. Your computer is not infected.

5

Don't reply, don't click "unsubscribe"

30 sec

Replying confirms your address is real and monitored, which gets you added to higher-value scam lists. The "unsubscribe" link in a scam message is rarely a real opt-out - it usually leads to a phishing page or downloads a tracking pixel.

Instead, mark the message as junk or phishing inside your email client (this trains the spam filter), then block the sender.

6

Report the scam to your email provider and authorities

1 min

Inside your email client:

• Gmail: open the message → ⋮ menu → Report phishing
• Outlook / Outlook.com: ⋯ menu → Report → Report phishing
• Apple Mail / iCloud: Move to Junk, then forward to reportphishing@apple.com

Forward or report to authorities:

• International: forward to reportphishing@apwg.org
• United States: ic3.gov (FBI)
• United Kingdom: forward phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk (NCSC SERS); for financial loss report at reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
• Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
• Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
• EU: your national CERT - find yours via the ENISA CSIRT map

After reporting, delete the email and empty the Trash folder so you don't accidentally open it later.

Phase 3~ 10–60 min

Recover - if you already engaged with the scam

---

Pick the step below that matches what you did. If multiple apply, work through them in the order they appear - the steps are arranged from lowest to highest risk.

7

You only clicked a link (didn't enter anything or download anything)

Scenario: clicked link only10 min

Close the page right away. Don't enter any information, even if the page looks legitimate.

• Clear your browser cache and cookies for the last hour - Chrome/Edge: Ctrl+Shift+Del → Last hour → check Cookies and Cached files
• Run a quick scan with Combo Cleaner in case the page tried to drop a file silently (drive-by download)
• Update your browser to the latest version - most drive-by exploits target outdated browsers
• Watch for new browser pop-ups, redirects, or unfamiliar notifications over the next few days

Why this matters

Modern browsers block most drive-by attacks, but a single click on a phishing page can still be enough on an outdated browser or unpatched plugin. A quick scan catches anything that landed silently.

8

You opened an attachment or downloaded a file - run a full malware scan

Scenario: opened attachment⚠ Highest risk60–90 min

Opening an attachment is the most common path to actual infection. Treat the system as compromised until the scans below come back clean. Work through these sub-steps in order:

8.1Disconnect from the network

Unplug Ethernet and turn off Wi-Fi. If the attachment was an info-stealer or remote-access trojan, this stops it from sending data out or receiving commands. Keep the network off until you've booted into Safe Mode (next step) - you'll reconnect there briefly to download the scanners.

8.2Boot into Safe Mode with Networking, then download the scanners

Windows 11: Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 5 or F5.

Windows 10: hold Shift, click Power → Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press F5.

Once Safe Mode has loaded, turn Wi-Fi back on and download Combo Cleaner (used in 8.4) and Microsoft Safety Scanner (used in 8.5). Safe Mode loads only minimal drivers, so most malware can't auto-run while you're getting the tools. Save both installers to your Desktop.

8.3Run Microsoft Defender Offline

Reboot to normal Windows. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. The PC restarts into a stripped-down environment and scans the disk before Windows fully loads - this is what catches rootkits and bootkits.

Recommended antivirus

Combo Cleaner

VB100 certified. Includes anti-trojan, registry/persistence scanning, and anti-spyware in one pass. The 7-day free trial is available.

Download Combo Cleaner

8.4Run a full Combo Cleaner scan

Install Combo Cleaner and run a full system scan (not the quick scan). Let it complete fully, review what it found, and apply the recommended actions. Combo Cleaner will quarantine known trojans and remove their persistence in the registry.

8.5Run Microsoft Safety Scanner as a second-opinion scan

Download Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe). The binary expires every 10 days, which means every download has the latest signatures. Run a full scan after Combo Cleaner to catch anything one engine alone might miss.

8.6Reset browsers and clear notification permissions

Many email-borne trojans drop adware that hijacks browsers. Reset each browser you use:

Chrome: chrome://settings/reset → Restore settings to their original defaults. Then chrome://settings/content/notifications - remove unfamiliar sites.

Edge: edge://settings/reset. Then edge://settings/content/notifications.

Firefox: about:support → Refresh Firefox.

8.7Re-enable Defender, Tamper Protection, and update everything

Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and confirm Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Tamper Protection are all on. Then run Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates and update browsers and applications.

Important

If the scans keep finding new threats on each run, or files reappear after deletion, you may have a deeper compromise that needs a clean Windows reinstall. See pcrisk's full manual malware removal guide for the extended procedure (Process Explorer, Autoruns, hosts file inspection).

9

You entered credentials on a fake login page

Scenario: shared password⚠ Act fast20 min

Assume the attacker has your password and is using it right now. Speed matters.

1. Change the password from a different, known-clean device (your phone is fine if it's not infected). Don't reuse the old password anywhere else.
2. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already. Prefer an authenticator app or hardware key over SMS.
3. Sign out of all sessions - most platforms have a "sign out everywhere" option in security settings, which kicks the attacker out.
4. Review recent activity - look for unfamiliar logins, new devices, forwarding rules, or app permissions. Remove anything you don't recognize.
5. Check your other accounts - if you reused that password anywhere else, change it there too. Check your exposure at haveibeenpwned.com.
6. Update security questions - the attacker may have seen the answers in your account profile.

Why email comes first

If you only have time to change one password, change your primary email password - it's the recovery hub for every other account. An attacker who controls your email can reset everything else.

10

You sent money or shared bank, card, or ID details

Scenario: financial loss⚠ Contact bank now30 min

Time is the single biggest factor in recovering money. Banks can sometimes recall a wire or reverse a card transaction within the first few hours.

1. Call your bank or card issuer immediately. Use the number on the back of the card, not any number from the scam email. Ask them to freeze the card, reverse the transaction if possible, and flag the account for fraud monitoring.
2. If you sent a wire transfer or used a money-transfer service (Western Union, MoneyGram, Zelle, Wise), call them directly and request a recall. Some can be reversed within minutes if reported fast.
3. If you sent cryptocurrency or gift cards, recovery is unlikely - but report it anyway, since law enforcement tracks these patterns.
4. File a police report. You'll need the report number for any insurance, bank, or credit-bureau claim. Save the report number.
5. File with the right authority for your country:
   • US: ic3.gov + reportfraud.ftc.gov
   • UK: reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
   • Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
   • Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
   • EU: your national CERT or police cybercrime unit
6. Set fraud alerts on all major credit bureaus if you shared any ID details. US: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion (Cifas Protective Registration is a stronger option).
7. Save all evidence - the original email (with full headers), screenshots of the fake site, transaction records, any phone numbers or chat logs.

Phase 4~ 15 min + 30 days

Verify & monitor

---

11

Final scan and startup-app check

15 min

Reconnect to the network and run one final full scan with Combo Cleaner, followed by a Windows Defender quick scan. Then open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and switch to Startup apps - disable anything unfamiliar.

Make sure Windows, browsers, and any applications you use are fully up to date. The infection vector that worked on you once usually involves outdated software.

12

Monitor accounts and credit for 30 days

5 min/day · 30 days

Most fraud follow-ups land in the first month. Until that window closes, keep watching:

• Bank and card statements - daily for the first week, then weekly
• Email - watch for password-reset confirmations or login alerts you didn't trigger
• Credit report - US: free at annualcreditreport.com; UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion all have free tiers
• Breach alerts - sign up at haveibeenpwned.com to be notified when your email appears in new leaks

If anything new appears in any of those, treat it as a continuing compromise: change passwords again, contact the bank again, and update the police report.

Important: If you didn't click anything, didn't reply, and didn't open any attachment, your computer is not infected - just delete the email and move on. If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner and Windows Defender and stop there. That path catches the vast majority of email-borne malware without the risk of breaking Windows by deleting the wrong file.