UTServicesLISACyber safetyNewsCriminals threaten to distribute private movies

Criminals threaten to distribute private movies

Since a few days, criminals have been sending emails with the claim that they have hacked the victim's computer.

They claim to have a movie of the victim on which he or she can be seen in a compromising situation. The criminal then asks money to destroy the video. Analysis of some of the messages indicates that the criminals have no videos and, if they did have one, do not intend to destroy them after receiving any payment.

The university always advises against paying extortionists and other criminals. This way you only strengthen their business model and they will continue to try to extort people.

This does not detract from the fact that a webcam on a laptop and the like is always at risk of being misused. Especially with students, where living room, bedroom and study is often a single room, the university recommends using a webcam cover. These are made available by the university for free. You can find them at the student information desk in Spiegel and the LISA Service desk in Citadel.

If you receive such an email, report it to CERT-UT

Changed on March 15 with the correct location in Spiegel.