Ransomware..is this a real threat.

Hi everyone,

Yesterday I received three emails stating that I have been looking at dodgy sites and they have webcam footage of me....etc....they want £3,000 in bitcoin. OK I know this bit is a scam because I don't look at dodgy sites or have a webcam.

The weird thing is that the email was delivered to an old dormant email account where I cannot recieve or send emails, I just keep the old emails on file for reference and old receipts etc.

The question is how did I get this email on an ISP that is no longer in use - could this be a virus/malware? it just got me thinking.

Chris

It is nothing. Ignore it.

They just send them out at random I get 3 a week it's standard chance stating they have you on webcam even though you haven't got one

Thanks for the replies

...the thing is...how did it show up on my dormant email which has not been used for years?....I definitely cannot send from it and all my test emails to that account are not delivered or recieved.

lx07 said:

Well xxxxx, you already gave away your first name.

We now only have to guess your family name (something to do with 'farrellart' perhaps) and put @gmail.com or @outlook.com on the end.

I'd suggest ignoring such mails. Don't get angry and reply - it will only encourage them.

Point taken, I never reply to these and if I need to look I do so through 'message source'.

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swarfega said:

I've had those, reason I know they're fake in my case is that it used email of mine that I don't use on websites. Remember best defence against these sorts of emails is regular back ups. If you do get one then you can simply wipe your drive and reinstall and restore your files.

I do back up, I don't see a need to reinstall, but, the option is there...

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TairikuOkami said:

You can check your email @ Have I Been Pwned

Thank you....is that site safe?

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lx07 said:

Well xxxxx, you already gave away your first name.

BTW my name is Pete

swarfega said:

Have I Been Pwned is safe.

Turns out a very well known photo imaging software corporation was hacked about 8 years ago...I had changed all the email and password details when they notified me ages ago....so I guess this is a hangover from then.

Many thanks

Pete