Scareware PDF

I received an email this morning with a PDF attachment. I didn't know the sender but the subject line gave the password and the title of PDF was my nickname : XXXXXX[pw to my Mac] and this made it scary. I normally delete mails like those without opening but with the info given, I had to see what was in it. Here's the msg:

Hello, I do know your passwords (check this email subject for one of the passwords), I do know about your daily life, I do know about your internet activities. You do not know anything about me, and you must be wondering why be wondering why you are getting this email, right? I installed a malware on the adult (porn) website and guess what, you visited this website to have fun (you know what I mean!). While you were watching the porn, your web browser started functioning as an RDP+keylogger, which gave me access to your display screen and camera. Right after that, my software collected all of your contacts from your Facebook account, Messenger account, and email account. I created a double screen video. The first part shows the video you were watching (you have a nice taste lol), and the second part shows the recording of your camera (it is you!).


They also asked for $1,000 in Bitcoin.


Since I don't (and haven't) visited a porn site, I figured it was scareware. So, I immediately went to disc utilities and erased my HD and restored the macOS...all of my email, desktop and documents folders are backed up in iCloud and I have DropBox for everything else.


I hope I have done it correctly. Any advice would be appreciated.


MacBook

Posted on Sep 8, 2019 7:58 AM

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7 replies

Sep 8, 2019 8:53 AM in response to dialabrain

I'm trying to use the Apple STRONG passwords now...since I'm all Apple (MBA, iPad, iPhone) and use iCloud Keychain, I figure I don't have to worry about "remembering" so many PWs and they will be STRONG. When I reset my MBA pw this morning, the Apple pw "suggestion" didn't come up. I suppose that wouldn't be smart because anyone who picks up your MBA would then have access to all of your passwords. I guess I'll just have to remember the MBA login pw and let Apple handle all of the other passwords. Thanks for your feedback dialabrain.

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Scareware PDF

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