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Urgent: Suspicious Email

  • 18-02-2019 4:54pm
    #1
    Gael23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,127 ✭✭✭✭


    I have received an email from myself to myself claiming that there is malware on my computer and I need to pay a ransom to get it removed, otherwise my computer will be taken over.

    Can you advise me what to do?


Comments

  • #2
    Dinner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,132 ✭✭✭Dinner


    It's a scam, just ignore it. Scammers can 'spoof' the from field in an email to make it look like it's from you but isn't. 

    Google "Spoofed bitcoin extortion" or something like that and you'll find a bunch of articles like this


  • #3
    Gael23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,127 ✭✭✭✭Gael23


    Yes its similar to that. I did visit the site the email said I visited so it got me worries


  • #4
    Gael23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,127 ✭✭✭✭Gael23


    Should I change my password?


  • #5
    Dinner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,132 ✭✭✭Dinner


    If you want, there's no harm in it! But these mails are just blasted out to thousands of people hoping that someone will pay, and aren't something to worry about


  • #6
    fritzelly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,863 ✭✭✭✭fritzelly


    Dinner wrote: »
    If you want, there's no harm in it! But these mails are just blasted out to thousands of people hoping that someone will pay, and aren't something to worry about
    If it is the sextortion one then it is something to worry about as at least one site you have used has been hacked and they have your password and email which they will use to try and access other sites
    Good idea to use a password manager or if using Chrome it's own password manager and use a different password for every site you have an account.
    Google has a plugin for Chrome (Password Checkup) that will alert you to any hacked passwords you are using.


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  • #7
    eir: Linzi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 527 ✭✭✭eir: Linzi


    Gael23 wrote: »
    I have received an email from myself to myself claiming that there is malware on my computer and I need to pay a ransom to get it removed, otherwise my computer will be taken over.

    Can you advise me what to do?
    Hi Gael23

    Unfortunately there have been a number of phishing attempts and scam calls in circulation.  We cannot do anything about this but we will always advise you to never click on any links or give any personal details or information about yourself or any accounts that you may have.

    Many thanks

    ~Linzi


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