Remove “Operating System Fell To My Hacking Expertise” spam email

“Operating System Fell To My Hacking Expertise” email is part of a recent spam campaign that tries to blackmail users into paying scammers $1250. Although the email does not explicitly state that there’s a video of users watching pornography, nor do scammers threaten to release it, that is implied. The email is also written similarly to sextortion scam emails. Thus this “Operating System Fell To My Hacking Expertise” spam email falls into the sextortion email category as well. The contents of the email can be ignored as they are completely false.

 

 

These types of scam emails are very common. The emails may differ in content somewhat and campaigns are operated by different scammer groups, but the emails all follow a nearly identical pattern. They all claim that users’ computers have been infected with malware which allowed its operators full access to the devices. The emails claim that the malware allowed operators to use the camera, microphone, etc. Scammers then state that a video of the recipient watching pornography has been created and will be publicly released if payment is not made.

This particular “Operating System Fell To My Hacking Expertise” spam email is a bit different in the sense that it does not specifically state that there’s a video, nor does it mention the recipient specifically watching pornography. However, the email implies it by saying “In the course of watching you, I came across something intriguing”. Sextortion emails usually use mocking language to describe users’ supposed pornography viewing habits but this email does not do that. Scare tactics are effective against users so this “Operating System Fell To My Hacking Expertise” spam email will likely generate significantly less money than other emails of this kind.

The “Operating System Fell To My Hacking Expertise” spam email demands that users pay $1250 in Bitcoin to the provided wallet address. Because the contents of the email are completely fake, there is no reason to pay anything.

The full “Operating System Fell To My Hacking Expertise” spam email is below:

Hi there. I have some information that’s likely to be impactful.

– Take note that on this date, your device’s operating system fell to my hacking expertise, allowing me full access to your account. You have been under my watchful observation for an enduring stretch of time. Your system’s security has been overridden by a virus, placing your devices, including the display and camera, under my control. All your online and offline data is now accessible to me.

I’ve collected an extensive array of data about you.

In the course of watching you, I came across something intriguing.

You probably realize the weight of what I now know and what that necessitates. If you don’t want me to do it, send me 1250 $ (Dollar US in my bitcoin wallet.
My BTC Wallet address:
bc1qyezej76e0hrj3488a469dvmyngq47m6sjxudkz

For those unsure about funding a Bitcoin wallet, Google can be used to find detailed funding instructions.
As soon as the funds are received, I’ll notice it immediately and remove all the unwanted material. After that, we’ll part ways. I also commit to deactivating and removing all malware from your devices. You can trust me, I stand by my word. It’s a fair deal, especially considering the time I’ve invested in tracking your profile and traffic.

Please note that you have exactly two days (48 hours) from the moment you open this letter to make the payment!

Following this timeframe, if I do not receive the agreed-upon amount from you, I will release access to your accounts and visited websites, personal information, and edited materials to the public without prior notice.

Always keep in mind that I am meticulous and don’t make errors. It’s unwise to jest with me because I have a wealth of options at my disposal. There’s no use in lodging complaints, as they won’t be able to track me down. Even formatting the drive or destroying the device won’t make a difference because I already possess your data.

There’s no need to reply to me because I don’t send messages from personal email, and I won’t be reading any responses
Wishing you good luck and advising you not to be upset! Each of us has our own tasks, and today, you simply happened to find yourself on the less fortunate side.

P.s. Moving forward, I’d recommend that you abide by internet safety rules and avoid visiting dubious sites.

You can use an antivirus like Dr.Web for enhanced protection.

For future reference, you can ignore all similar emails. No matter how real they may initially seem, they are always scams. There is no video of you watching pornography, nor is your computer infected with anything.

Why did you receive a sextortion scam email?

Sextortion emails typically claim that users received the email because their devices have been infected with malware. However, the reality is that these emails are sent because the users’ email addresses have been leaked and sold on hacker forums. Unfortunately, email addresses can be compromised frequently due to company mistakes or cyberattacks. When information is stolen or leaked, it often ends up on hacker forums where cybercriminals purchase it for malicious purposes.

Receiving a sextortion email likely indicates that your email address has been part of a data breach and subsequently sold to cybercriminals. You can check if your email has been leaked by visiting HaveIBeenPwned. If you discover that your email has been compromised, it’s crucial to be very cautious about unsolicited emails, particularly those containing attachments or links.

In some instances, cybercriminals also disclose users’ passwords in sextortion emails. This tactic is particularly effective because recipients may wonder how the sender obtained their password unless they hacked into their device. In reality, passwords are stolen in the same way as email addresses. If a service or platform lacks proper security measures and stores passwords in plaintext, those passwords can be easily stolen during a cyberattack. Like email addresses, these passwords can end up for sale on hacker forums. If you use unique passwords and receive a sextortion email that includes a specific password you use, it’s most likely that the service you used it for has leaked your data.

If you receive a sextortion email that reveals a password you use, you should change it immediately for all your accounts that use that password. Remember that each password should be unique for every account. Additionally, passwords should be complex and consist of a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. If you find it difficult to create strong passwords, consider using a password manager, which can help you manage and generate secure passwords.