How to recognize scams like "I Gained Access To The Devices You Use To Browse The Internet"

What kind of scam is "I Gained Access To The Devices You Use To Browse The Internet"?

Our review of the email has shown that it is a sextortion scam. The scammers behind it claim that they have accessed the recipient's devices and threaten to release explicit videos unless a ransom is paid. All claims in this scam email are not true. Whoever receives this email should ignore it.

More about the "I Gained Access To The Devices You Use To Browse The Internet" scam email

This email is a typical sextortion scam. Scammers behind it claim that they have gained full access to the recipient's devices and installed a virus through a fake reCAPTCHA page. They allege that this supposed malware allowed them to record the recipient's screen, steal personal data, and capture explicit footage.

The message claims that embarrassing videos will be sent to the victim's contacts unless a payment of $1232 in Bitcoin to the provided wallet is made. Additionally, a 42-hour deadline is given to provoke the recipient to act quickly. The entire email is fake: scammers have no access to any device or data and use fear tactics to extort money from unsuspecting recipients.

It is important to mention that if the ransom is paid, the money cannot be recovered. Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, so once the funds are sent to the scammer's wallet, they are gone permanently. Thus, such emails should be ignored to avoid monetary loss and other issues (e.g., identity theft or computer infections).

Conclusion

This email is a sextortion scam designed to scare recipients into paying a ransom. The threats and claims of device access or stolen videos are false. Recipients should ignore such messages and avoid engaging with the scammers. Some examples of similar scams are "Court Order Against Your Internet Traffic Email Scam", "Consider This Message As Your Last Warning Email Scam", and "You Visited Some Hacked Websites With Exploit Email Scam".

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Cybercriminals often use email to deliver malware to unsuspecting users through files or links. Attachments, such as infected documents (e.g., PDF or Word documents), executable files, compressed archives, or scripts, can infect a device when opened or if features like macros are enabled.

Scam emails may also contain links to untrustworthy (or hijacked) websites that can either download malware automatically or trick users into doing so themselves. In most cases, a device is only at risk when the recipient interacts with these malicious attachments or links.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Be cautious with emails you were not expecting, especially those that include links or attachments. If a message seems suspicious, do not open any files or click on any links. Do not click on ads, pop-ups, and other content while visiting questionable websites, and refuse notification requests from these sites.

Protect your devices by running scans with reputable antivirus or security software on a regular basis. Always download programs from official sources or trusted app stores, and avoid pirated software, cracks, or key generators. Keep your operating system, web browser, and apps up to date.

The appearance of the email (GIF):

Text presented in the "I Gained Access To The Devices You Use To Browse The Internet" email letter:

Subject: Hi -

Hello,

In short: a few weeks ago, I gained complete access to all the devices you use to browse the internet. Shortly after that, I started recording your entire online activity.

Below is the sequence of events that led to this:
Some time ago, you accessed a link and had to verify it via reCAPTCHA to see the content. In fact, this verification was fake, and after the verification, a Trojan virus was actually installed on your device. From there, it wasn't long until the virus was installed on all your devices, considering that you connect to the same network with all your devices. Don't you believe me? Search the net for "Fake reCAPTCHA" and see for yourself.

With the help of this virus, I can now access all the components of your devices (camera, microphone, keyboard). As a result, I was able to download all your photos, personal data, your browsing history, and other information to my servers without any problem.

Moreover, now I have access to all your messaging accounts, social networks, emails, contact list, your conversation history, absolutely everything. My virus continuously updates its signatures, so it remains undetected by any antivirus software.

Considering that you got the virus from an adult site, at first I thought you were just an occasional visitor to these sites. But then I noticed that you take a crazy pleasure in satisfying yourself on very controversial materials, reaching intense orgasms.

To be honest with you: it was hard for me to resist, and I recorded many videos with you in those scenes and compiled special videos where I expose your self-satisfaction sessions, plus the videos you watched during those acts and which end with your ejaculation.

I could, at this moment, with just a few clicks, share these videos with your friends, colleagues, and relatives. Also, I would have no qualms about uploading this content online so that everyone can see what sick orientations you have!

Honestly, I think you don't want this to happen. This would completely ruin your reputation.

However, don't worry, there is still a way to resolve the situation. You need to make a transfer of $1232 via Bitcoin. After you complete the transaction, I will delete all the videos in which you appear, all the personal data collected, and the virus from your devices. Mark my words: I never lie.

This is a great deal at the lowest price, considering that I have wasted a lot of time and effort to record and track all your activities and your deeds.
If you have no idea how to buy and transfer Bitcoin, feel free to search the internet for the necessary information.

You can use the wallet address below to make the transfer:
bc1qgy0puzkkvkjwpu9xzzezkt322dcukh304l25jp

The address above, as you can see, has a blank space. When you use it to send the money, make sure you remove that space.

You only have 42 hours from now, and the timer started from the moment you opened this email.
You have to believe me: there is no point in bothering you anymore after I get the money.
Besides, if I really wanted to, all those videos would have been public a long time ago.
I think we can still resolve the situation on fair terms.

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Quick menu:

• What is I Gained Access To The Devices You Use To Browse The Internet sextortion scam?
• Types of malicious emails.
• How to spot a malicious email?
• What to do if you fell for an email scam?

Types of malicious emails:

Phishing Emails

Most commonly, cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick Internet users into giving away their sensitive private information, for example, login information for various online services, email accounts, or online banking information.

Such attacks are called phishing. In a phishing attack, cybercriminals usually send an email message with some popular service logo (for example, Microsoft, DHL, Amazon, Netflix), create urgency (wrong shipping address, expired password, etc.), and place a link which they hope their potential victims will click on.

After clicking the link presented in such email message, victims are redirected to a fake website that looks identical or extremely similar to the original one. Victims are then asked to enter their password, credit card details, or some other information that gets stolen by cybercriminals.

Emails with Malicious Attachments

Another popular attack vector is email spam with malicious attachments that infect users' computers with malware. Malicious attachments usually carry trojans that are capable of stealing passwords, banking information, and other sensitive information.

In such attacks, cybercriminals' main goal is to trick their potential victims into opening an infected email attachment. To achieve this goal, email messages usually talk about recently received invoices, faxes, or voice messages.

If a potential victim falls for the lure and opens the attachment, their computers get infected, and cybercriminals can collect a lot of sensitive information.

While it's a more complicated method to steal personal information (spam filters and antivirus programs usually detect such attempts), if successful, cybercriminals can get a much wider array of data and can collect information for a long period of time.

Sextortion Emails

This is a type of phishing. In this case, users receive an email claiming that a cybercriminal could access the webcam of the potential victim and has a video recording of one's masturbation.

To get rid of the video, victims are asked to pay a ransom (usually using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency). Nevertheless, all of these claims are false - users who receive such emails should ignore and delete them.

How to spot a malicious email?

While cyber criminals try to make their lure emails look trustworthy, here are some things that you should look for when trying to spot a phishing email:

• Check the sender's ("from") email address: Hover your mouse over the "from" address and check if it's legitimate. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft, be sure to check if the email address is @microsoft.com and not something suspicious like @m1crosoft.com, @microsfot.com, @account-security-noreply.com, etc.
• Check for generic greetings: If the greeting in the email is "Dear user", "Dear @youremail.com", "Dear valued customer", this should raise suspiciousness. Most commonly, companies call you by your name. Lack of this information could signal a phishing attempt.
• Check the links in the email: Hover your mouse over the link presented in the email, if the link that appears seems suspicious, don't click it. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft and the link in the email shows that it will go to firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0... you shouldn't trust it. It's best not to click any links in the emails but to visit the company website that sent you the email in the first place.
• Don't blindly trust email attachments: Most commonly, legitimate companies will ask you to log in to their website and to view any documents there; if you received an email with an attachment, it's a good idea to scan it with an antivirus application. Infected email attachments are a common attack vector used by cybercriminals.

To minimise the risk of opening phishing and malicious emails we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows. 

Example of a spam email:

What to do if you fell for an email scam?

• If you clicked on a link in a phishing email and entered your password - be sure to change your password as soon as possible. Usually, cybercriminals collect stolen credentials and then sell them to other groups that use them for malicious purposes. If you change your password in a timely manner, there's a chance that criminals won't have enough time to do any damage.
• If you entered your credit card information - contact your bank as soon as possible and explain the situation. There's a good chance that you will need to cancel your compromised credit card and get a new one.
• If you see any signs of identity theft - you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission. This institution will collect information about your situation and create a personal recovery plan.
• If you opened a malicious attachment - your computer is probably infected, you should scan it with a reputable antivirus application. For this purpose, we recommend using  Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
• Help other Internet users - report phishing emails to Anti-Phishing Working Group, FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, National Fraud Information Center and U.S. Department of Justice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

You received the scam email because your email address was on a list that scammers use. Most of the time, these emails are sent to many people at once, so you are not personally targeted.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by this email, what should I do?

If you shared login details, change the passwords for any affected accounts immediately. Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity and contact your bank or relevant institutions if financial or sensitive data was exposed.

I have downloaded and opened a malicious file attached to an email, is my computer infected?

Opening a harmful file can put your computer at risk, but infection depends on the type of file. Malicious executable files usually infect the system immediately, while documents or other file types may not activate malware unless certain features, like macros, are enabled.

Was my computer actually hacked and does the sender have any information?

No, your computer was not hacked and the sender does not have any of your information. Scammers often make false claims to scare recipients, but they usually have no access to devices or personal data.

I have sent cryptocurrency to the address presented in such email, can I get my money back?

No, cryptocurrency sent to a scammer cannot be recovered. Blockchain transactions are permanent and irreversible, so once the funds are transferred, they are lost for good.

I have read the email but did not open the attachment, is my computer infected?

Simply opening an email is safe and does not pose a risk. A device can only become infected if the user clicks on links or opens attachments included in the message.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections that were present in email attachment?

Combo Cleaner can detect and remove nearly all malware. However, some advanced malware may hide deep within the system, so performing a full system scan is essential to ensure nothing is missed.