Avoid getting scammed by fake "I Compromised Your Operating System" emails

What kind of email is "I Compromised Your Operating System"?

After reviewing the "I Compromised Your Operating System" email, we determined that it is spam. The letter falsely claims that the sender has infected the recipient's devices with a trojan. This malware was used to record and edit a compromising video of the recipient, which will be leaked to their contacts unless the sender is paid. This email is a sextortion scam, and as such – all the information provided by it is false.

"I Compromised Your Operating System" email scam overview

This scam email states that the recipient's operating system was compromised by the sender. The undetectable trojan-type malware was used to extract private information from all of the recipient's devices, including contact lists, email and social media accounts, messengers, chats, etc.

Furthermore, the sender alleges to have utilized the infected device's camera to record the user when they were visiting websites that host pornographic content. The footage was spliced into a video showing the recipient and the content they were viewing.

Unless the sender is paid 1300 USD in Bitcoin cryptocurrency, this sexually explicit video will be sent to all their contacts, and their personal information will be leaked online. The recipient is given three days to comply with these ransom demands. They are warned against seeking aid from the authorities, as should they do so – the sender will make good on their threats.

As mentioned in the introduction, all the claims made by the "I Compromised Your Operating System" email are false. This means that neither are the recipient's devices infected with the alleged malware nor is the sender in possession of the compromising content they claim to have.

This mail is a scam, and all of its threats are empty. By trusting this email, the victim will experience a financial loss. What is more, due to the practically untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions – they cannot be reversed, and victims will be unable to retrieve their funds.

Sextortion spam campaign examples

"Operating System Was Compromised Under My Direction", "Hello My Perverted Friend", and "This Email Concerns Your Information Security" are just a few of our latest articles on sextortion spam campaigns. While the end goal of spam mail is to generate revenue, how that is achieved differs.

The most common uses of these emails include tricking recipients into transferring funds to scammers, revealing sensitive information (e.g., log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc.), and downloading/installing malware.

While spam emails are infamous for being riddled with errors, they may be competently crafted and even believably disguised as messages from legitimate companies, organizations, service providers, authorities, and other entities.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Cyber criminals often use spam campaigns to proliferate malware. Deceptive emails/messages can include malicious files as attachments or download links. These files come in various formats, e.g., documents (PDF, Microsoft Office, Microsoft OneNote, etc.), archives (RAR, ZIP, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), JavaScript, and so forth.

Once an infectious file is opened – the malware download/installation chain is initiated. Some formats can require additional actions to jumpstart these processes. For example, Microsoft Office files need users to enable macro commands (i.e., editing/content), while OneNote documents require them to click on embedded files/links.

How to avoid installation of malware?

We recommend caution with incoming emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, and other messages. Attachments or links present in suspicious mail must not be opened, as they can be virulent. Another recommendation is to use Microsoft Office versions released after 2010 since their "Protective View" mode prevents automatic macro execution.

However, malware is not distributed only via spam mail. Therefore, we also advise being careful while browsing, as fraudulent and malicious online content typically appears genuine and innocuous.

Furthermore, all downloads must be made from official and verified channels. It is important to activate and update software using legitimate functions/tools, as illegal activation tools ("cracks") and third-party updaters may contain malware.

We must emphasize that having a dependable anti-virus installed and kept updated is essential to device/user safety. Security programs must be used to run regular system scans and to remove detected threats and issues. If you've already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the "I Compromised Your Operating System" spam email letter:

Subject: Re:

Hey There.

The following is your very last notification.

I compromised your operating system thru the Wifi modem you were connecting to.

Several weeks prior, I entered the systems that you previously used to get on-line.

All the info from your electronics and devices has been immediately duplicated to my hosting space.

I can take advantage of all your cellphone messengers, social media sites, emails, chats, & list of contacts.

My trojan regularly changes its signature (driver-type), for that reason it remains not visible to anti-virus software.
I suppose now you understand, the reasons why I remained unseen until this current day

 

Whilst get together infos about yourself, I discovered that you are a big fan of porno sites and much more.
You really love to visit mature web pages and view kinky videos whilst getting an orgasm.

I have surely created a cam recording of you jacking off.
The cropping and editing of the videos you were seeing at the same time and your masturbation.
Your own facial expression is clearly seeable. I don't believe this sort of information will be good for your personal status.

I can direct this video footage out to everybody who know who you are.

I also have no trouble with making all your confidential information open public on the net.
I do believe you know what I mean.

It may be an absolute frustration for you personally.

 

I can wreck your life forever.

I suspect that you seriously don't want this to occur.

Let us fix it this way: you transfer me 1300 $ (usd) using btc equivalent at the moment of exchange), and i'll promptly get rid of all of your data from my machines.
Proceeding that, we'll forget about one another.

My bitcoin wallet address for transfering: 112b2rLHpqs6fjmpvxmEEghhDWTY6HL1v3

If you do not realize how to transmit money and what exactly btc is. Then key in the Google "Get btc".

I give you 3 days to send the funds.
The time launched counting automatically after you opened this e
mail.
I will see a message when this email is exposed.

Do not try and search for help, as the wallet address cannot be monitored, e-mail the letter is coming from & cannot be followed either & generated automatically, so there is no reason for messaging me.
Don't try to get hold of the police and other security services, & should you choose to do, your own information will undoubtedly be posted.

Changing passwords online in social network sites, e mail, & devices will not help you, since all the info is already downloaded to my servers.

Good luck and try to not do something foolish. Think of your possible future.

Appearance of the "I Compromised Your Operating System" spam email (GIF):

A Lithuanian variant of "I Compromised Your Operating System" spam email:

Text presented within:

Subject: Fwd:

Sveiki!

Galite turėti problemų su įstatymu.

Tai paskutinė galimybė išvengti nemalonių pasekmių ir išsaugoti savo reputaciją.

Į jūsų operacinę sistemą buvo įsilaužta.

Visi jūsų asmeniniai duomenys buvo nukopijuoti į mano serverius.

Į visų įrenginių, kuriuos naudojate prieigai prie interneto, operacines sistemas įdiegiau Trojos arklio virusą.

Ši programinė įranga suteikia man prieigą prie visų jūsų įrenginių valdiklių.

Dėl šifravimo šio viruso neaptiks jokia sistema. Kiekvieną dieną jo parašai išvalomi.

Visus jūsų asmeninius duomenis jau nukopijavau į savo serverius.

Turiu prieigą prie jūsų el. pašto, žinučių, socialinių tinklų, kontaktų sąrašo.

Surinkęs duomenis iš jūsų įrenginio, radau daug įdomios informacijos apie jus.

Tau labai patinka žiūrėti suaugusiesiems skirtus vaizdo įrašus ir juos žiūrint patirti orgazmą.

Turiu keletą vaizdo įrašų, kurie buvo įrašyti iš tavo ekrano.

Sumontavau vaizdo įrašą, kuriame aiškiai matyti jūsų veidas ir tai, kaip žiūrite pornografiją ir masturbuojatės.

Jūsų šeima ir draugai neturės problemų atpažindami jus šiame vaizdo įraše. Šis vaizdo įrašas gali visiškai sugriauti jūsų reputaciją.

Be to, jūsų įrenginyje sugebėjau rasti duomenų, kuriuos jūsų šalyje saugoti draudžiama.
Galite turėti problemų su įstatymais.

Galiu išsiųsti jūsų neteisėtos veiklos įrodymus visiems jūsų kontaktams, paviešinti juos visiems internete.

Turiu daug jūsų asmeninių duomenų. Tai jūsų naršymo istorija, "Messenger" ir socialinės žiniasklaidos susirašinėjimas, telefono skambučiai, asmeninės nuotraukos ir vaizdo įrašai.
Visus jūsų duomenis galiu paskelbti viešai.

Esu tikras, kad po to jumis susidomės policija. Ir kitos jūsų šalies saugumo tarnybos.

Užtenka vieno mano pelės spustelėjimo, kad visa jūsų įrenginyje saugoma informacija taptų vieša.
Jūs suprantate pasekmes.

Tai bus tikra katastrofa.
Jūsų gyvenimas bus sugriautas.

Esu tikras, kad norėtumėte to išvengti, ar ne?
Tai labai paprasta.

Jums reikia pervesti man 1000 eurų (bitkoinų ekvivalentu pagal pervedimo metu galiojantį kursą). Po to ištrinsiu visą informaciją apie jus iš savo serverių.

Daugiau jūsų nebetrukdysiu.
Mano Bitcoin piniginė mokėjimui: 1JhZd6jfvfwJahTTLSsRpUh6o53qCmajL

Nežinote, kas yra bitkoinai ir kaip jais naudotis? Pasinaudokite "Google".

Mokėjimui atlikti turite 2 darbo dienas.
Perskaičius šį laišką, laikmatis prasideda automatiškai.

Jau gavau pranešimą, kad atidarėte šį el. laišką.

Atsakyti man nereikia, šis el. laiškas buvo sukurtas automatiškai ir jo neįmanoma atsekti.

Nereikia bandyti su kuo nors susisiekti ir prašyti pagalbos. Bitkoinų piniginė yra nesusekama, todėl tik švaistysite laiką.

Policija ir kitos saugumo tarnybos jums taip pat nepadės.

Kiekvienu iš šių atvejų nedelsdamas paskelbsiu visus vaizdo įrašus.

Visi jūsų duomenys jau nukopijuoti į mano serverių klasterį, todėl el. pašto ar socialinės žiniasklaidos slaptažodžių keitimas nepadės.

Tikiuosi, kad pasirinksite tinkamą sprendimą.

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Types of malicious emails:

If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file from a suspicious email, run a full system scan with Combo Cleaner. If you only received the email and didn't engage with it, you don't need to scan anything - just identify the scam and delete it. The full procedure below covers both situations and what to do if you already clicked, replied, or sent money.

Credential theft Phishing emails

Fake login pages disguised as PayPal, Microsoft, Apple, banks, or social networks. The email pushes a link to a near-perfect copy of the real login screen. The moment you type your username and password, the attacker has them.

Common subject lines

• "Action required: confirm your account"
• "Your password expires today"
• "Unusual sign-in attempt detected"
• "Verify your billing information"

Malware delivery Emails with malicious attachments

Trojans hidden inside fake invoices, faxes, shipping confirmations, or Office documents. Opening the attachment runs the payload and infects the system - often with an info-stealer or remote-access trojan.

Common subject lines

• "Invoice INV-2026-XXXX attached"
• "Fax received - 3 pages"
• "Your shipping document is ready"
• "Voicemail from +1-XXX-XXX-XXXX"

Extortion Sextortion emails

Fake claims of webcam recordings demanding cryptocurrency. Almost always a bluff: the attacker pulls a real password from an old data breach to make the threat look credible, then claims to have video of you. They have no recording and no access.

Common subject lines

• "I know your password is XXXX"
• "Your account has been hacked"
• "I have recorded you - 48 hours to pay"
• "You have been compromised"

Callback fraud Refund & callback scams

"Your subscription was renewed for $499 - call to cancel." Norton, McAfee, Geek Squad, PayPal, and Wells Fargo variants are all common. There's no real subscription. The phone number in the email connects directly to the scammer, who walks you through "refunding" yourself - which is actually them stealing money from your bank.

Common subject lines

• "Norton subscription auto-renewed - $499.99"
• "McAfee Total Protection invoice"
• "Geek Squad order confirmation"
• "Your PayPal payment is being processed"

Credential theft Account suspension & verification scams

"Your account will be deleted in 24 hours - verify now." The artificial deadline is the whole point: it pressures you to click before checking details. The "verify" link goes to a phishing page styled to look like the real provider.

Common subject lines

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Suspicious activity detected - verify now"
• "Final warning: account closure"
• "Action required to keep your account active"

Mixed payload Delivery & package scams

Fake DHL, USPS, UPS, or FedEx tracking, customs fees, or "package undeliverable" notices. Targets anyone expecting a parcel - the timing alone catches many people. The link hides either phishing (asking for card details to "release" the package) or a malware download.

Common subject lines

• "Your DHL package is held at customs"
• "USPS - delivery attempt failed"
• "FedEx tracking update - action required"
• "Pay $2.99 redelivery fee to release your parcel"

Remote access Tech support scams

Fake Microsoft, Apple, or "Windows Defender" security alerts pushing a phone number. Real Microsoft and Apple never email a phone number to call. The number connects you to a scammer who asks for remote access to "fix" the imaginary problem and then demands payment.

Common subject lines

• "Microsoft Defender expired - renew now"
• "Apple ID security alert"
• "Critical: virus detected on your PC"
• "Windows license expired - call now"

Wire fraud Advance-fee scams

Inheritance, lottery wins, romance, or business deals that ask for a small fee to release a much larger sum. The classic "Nigerian prince" 419 family of frauds. Once you pay the first fee, more fees appear (taxes, lawyer, transfer charges) until you stop paying. The promised money never exists.

Common subject lines

• "Inheritance from a relative you didn't know about"
• "You won the international lottery"
• "URGENT - business proposal worth $XX million"
• "Compensation fund release for fraud victims"

Wire fraud Business email compromise (BEC)

CEO impersonation asking employees to wire money or buy gift cards, or fake supplier invoices with newly "updated" bank details for payment redirection. The email often spoofs a real internal executive's display name and uses an external lookalike domain.

Common subject lines

• "Quick task - need you to buy gift cards"
• "Updated banking details for invoice payment"
• "Wire transfer request - urgent"
• "Are you available?" (CEO impersonation opener)

How to spot a malicious email?

Phase 1~ 2 min

Spot - identify the red flags

---

1

Check the sender's actual address, not the display name

30 sec

The display name (the human-readable part) is trivial to fake. Always check the full address that comes after it. Common red flags:

• Domain mismatch - service@paypa1.com, support@micros0ft-help.com, look-alike domains using digits or extra hyphens
• Free-email impersonation - any "official" message from a bank, courier, or platform sent from a @gmail.com, @outlook.com, or @yahoo.com address
• Reply-To mismatch - the From address looks legitimate but Reply-To points somewhere completely different

Why this matters

Real companies own their domains and send mail from them. A "DHL" message from a Gmail address is never legitimate, regardless of how convincing the body looks.

2

Watch for urgency, threats, and generic greetings

30 sec

Scams almost always rush you. The point is to make you act before you think. Treat any of the following as a strong signal:

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Final notice" / "Immediate action required"
• "Dear Customer" or "Dear User" instead of your real name
• Threats of fines, account closure, legal action, or arrest
• Promises of refunds, prizes, or money you didn't earn
• Spelling and grammar mistakes in messages claiming to come from a major brand

3

Hover over every link before clicking

30 sec

On a desktop, hover the mouse over the link without clicking. The real destination shows in the bottom-left status bar of your browser or email client. On a phone, long-press the link to preview the URL.

• Real Microsoft, PayPal, or bank links go to those exact domains, not redirects through unrelated sites
• Shortened URLs (bit.ly, tinyurl, t.co) hide the real destination - never click them in unsolicited mail
• The visible link text and the actual URL must match - mismatches are the single biggest phishing red flag

Pro tip

When in doubt, don't click the link. Open a new browser tab and type the company's address yourself, then log in normally. If there really is an issue with your account, you'll see it there.

4

Treat unexpected attachments as hostile

30 sec

If you didn't ask for the file, don't open it - even if it appears to come from someone you know. Categories that should never be opened from email without verification through another channel:

• .exe, .scr, .iso, .img, .vbs, .bat - executables, never legitimate attachments
• .docx, .xlsx, .pptx with "Enable macros" prompts - the macros run the malware
• .pdf with "Click here to view" buttons - usually a phishing redirect, not a real document
• .zip, .rar, .7z archives, especially password-protected ones - the password defeats the email scanner

Phase 2~ 2 min

Report and delete - if you haven't engaged

---

If you only received the email and didn't reply, click, or open anything, the steps below are all you need. Your computer is not infected.

5

Don't reply, don't click "unsubscribe"

30 sec

Replying confirms your address is real and monitored, which gets you added to higher-value scam lists. The "unsubscribe" link in a scam message is rarely a real opt-out - it usually leads to a phishing page or downloads a tracking pixel.

Instead, mark the message as junk or phishing inside your email client (this trains the spam filter), then block the sender.

6

Report the scam to your email provider and authorities

1 min

Inside your email client:

• Gmail: open the message → ⋮ menu → Report phishing
• Outlook / Outlook.com: ⋯ menu → Report → Report phishing
• Apple Mail / iCloud: Move to Junk, then forward to reportphishing@apple.com

Forward or report to authorities:

• International: forward to reportphishing@apwg.org
• United States: ic3.gov (FBI)
• United Kingdom: forward phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk (NCSC SERS); for financial loss report at reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
• Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
• Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
• EU: your national CERT - find yours via the ENISA CSIRT map

After reporting, delete the email and empty the Trash folder so you don't accidentally open it later.

Phase 3~ 10–60 min

Recover - if you already engaged with the scam

---

Pick the step below that matches what you did. If multiple apply, work through them in the order they appear - the steps are arranged from lowest to highest risk.

7

You only clicked a link (didn't enter anything or download anything)

Scenario: clicked link only10 min

Close the page right away. Don't enter any information, even if the page looks legitimate.

• Clear your browser cache and cookies for the last hour - Chrome/Edge: Ctrl+Shift+Del → Last hour → check Cookies and Cached files
• Run a quick scan with Combo Cleaner in case the page tried to drop a file silently (drive-by download)
• Update your browser to the latest version - most drive-by exploits target outdated browsers
• Watch for new browser pop-ups, redirects, or unfamiliar notifications over the next few days

Why this matters

Modern browsers block most drive-by attacks, but a single click on a phishing page can still be enough on an outdated browser or unpatched plugin. A quick scan catches anything that landed silently.

8

You opened an attachment or downloaded a file - run a full malware scan

Scenario: opened attachment⚠ Highest risk60–90 min

Opening an attachment is the most common path to actual infection. Treat the system as compromised until the scans below come back clean. Work through these sub-steps in order:

8.1Disconnect from the network

Unplug Ethernet and turn off Wi-Fi. If the attachment was an info-stealer or remote-access trojan, this stops it from sending data out or receiving commands. Keep the network off until you've booted into Safe Mode (next step) - you'll reconnect there briefly to download the scanners.

8.2Boot into Safe Mode with Networking, then download the scanners

Windows 11: Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 5 or F5.

Windows 10: hold Shift, click Power → Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press F5.

Once Safe Mode has loaded, turn Wi-Fi back on and download Combo Cleaner (used in 8.4) and Microsoft Safety Scanner (used in 8.5). Safe Mode loads only minimal drivers, so most malware can't auto-run while you're getting the tools. Save both installers to your Desktop.

8.3Run Microsoft Defender Offline

Reboot to normal Windows. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. The PC restarts into a stripped-down environment and scans the disk before Windows fully loads - this is what catches rootkits and bootkits.

Recommended antivirus

Combo Cleaner

VB100 certified. Includes anti-trojan, registry/persistence scanning, and anti-spyware in one pass. The 7-day free trial is available.

Download Combo Cleaner

8.4Run a full Combo Cleaner scan

Install Combo Cleaner and run a full system scan (not the quick scan). Let it complete fully, review what it found, and apply the recommended actions. Combo Cleaner will quarantine known trojans and remove their persistence in the registry.

8.5Run Microsoft Safety Scanner as a second-opinion scan

Download Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe). The binary expires every 10 days, which means every download has the latest signatures. Run a full scan after Combo Cleaner to catch anything one engine alone might miss.

8.6Reset browsers and clear notification permissions

Many email-borne trojans drop adware that hijacks browsers. Reset each browser you use:

Chrome: chrome://settings/reset → Restore settings to their original defaults. Then chrome://settings/content/notifications - remove unfamiliar sites.

Edge: edge://settings/reset. Then edge://settings/content/notifications.

Firefox: about:support → Refresh Firefox.

8.7Re-enable Defender, Tamper Protection, and update everything

Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and confirm Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Tamper Protection are all on. Then run Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates and update browsers and applications.

Important

If the scans keep finding new threats on each run, or files reappear after deletion, you may have a deeper compromise that needs a clean Windows reinstall. See pcrisk's full manual malware removal guide for the extended procedure (Process Explorer, Autoruns, hosts file inspection).

9

You entered credentials on a fake login page

Scenario: shared password⚠ Act fast20 min

Assume the attacker has your password and is using it right now. Speed matters.

1. Change the password from a different, known-clean device (your phone is fine if it's not infected). Don't reuse the old password anywhere else.
2. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already. Prefer an authenticator app or hardware key over SMS.
3. Sign out of all sessions - most platforms have a "sign out everywhere" option in security settings, which kicks the attacker out.
4. Review recent activity - look for unfamiliar logins, new devices, forwarding rules, or app permissions. Remove anything you don't recognize.
5. Check your other accounts - if you reused that password anywhere else, change it there too. Check your exposure at haveibeenpwned.com.
6. Update security questions - the attacker may have seen the answers in your account profile.

Why email comes first

If you only have time to change one password, change your primary email password - it's the recovery hub for every other account. An attacker who controls your email can reset everything else.

10

You sent money or shared bank, card, or ID details

Scenario: financial loss⚠ Contact bank now30 min

Time is the single biggest factor in recovering money. Banks can sometimes recall a wire or reverse a card transaction within the first few hours.

1. Call your bank or card issuer immediately. Use the number on the back of the card, not any number from the scam email. Ask them to freeze the card, reverse the transaction if possible, and flag the account for fraud monitoring.
2. If you sent a wire transfer or used a money-transfer service (Western Union, MoneyGram, Zelle, Wise), call them directly and request a recall. Some can be reversed within minutes if reported fast.
3. If you sent cryptocurrency or gift cards, recovery is unlikely - but report it anyway, since law enforcement tracks these patterns.
4. File a police report. You'll need the report number for any insurance, bank, or credit-bureau claim. Save the report number.
5. File with the right authority for your country:
   • US: ic3.gov + reportfraud.ftc.gov
   • UK: reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
   • Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
   • Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
   • EU: your national CERT or police cybercrime unit
6. Set fraud alerts on all major credit bureaus if you shared any ID details. US: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion (Cifas Protective Registration is a stronger option).
7. Save all evidence - the original email (with full headers), screenshots of the fake site, transaction records, any phone numbers or chat logs.

Phase 4~ 15 min + 30 days

Verify & monitor

---

11

Final scan and startup-app check

15 min

Reconnect to the network and run one final full scan with Combo Cleaner, followed by a Windows Defender quick scan. Then open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and switch to Startup apps - disable anything unfamiliar.

Make sure Windows, browsers, and any applications you use are fully up to date. The infection vector that worked on you once usually involves outdated software.

12

Monitor accounts and credit for 30 days

5 min/day · 30 days

Most fraud follow-ups land in the first month. Until that window closes, keep watching:

• Bank and card statements - daily for the first week, then weekly
• Email - watch for password-reset confirmations or login alerts you didn't trigger
• Credit report - US: free at annualcreditreport.com; UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion all have free tiers
• Breach alerts - sign up at haveibeenpwned.com to be notified when your email appears in new leaks

If anything new appears in any of those, treat it as a continuing compromise: change passwords again, contact the bank again, and update the police report.

Important: If you didn't click anything, didn't reply, and didn't open any attachment, your computer is not infected - just delete the email and move on. If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner and Windows Defender and stop there. That path catches the vast majority of email-borne malware without the risk of breaking Windows by deleting the wrong file.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

Spam emails are not personal, even if they include details relevant to the recipients. Cyber criminals distribute these emails by the thousand with the hopes that at least some recipients will fall for their scams.

Was my computer actually hacked and does the sender have any information?

No, none of your devices were infected by the sender. Neither has the scammer made recordings of you or acquired any other private information.

How did cyber criminals get my email password?

Sending sextortion emails from the recipient's very own mail account gives credence to the scam. Typically, email log-in credentials are stolen through phishing scams (e.g., fake sign-in webpages, registration forms, etc.). The threat of falling victim to such a scam is increased by using the same passwords for multiple accounts; hence, the log-in credentials for an email could have been obtained through a different compromised account.

The less likely scenario is that scammers may have acquired this information by breaching the recipient's devices. And the most unlikely scenario would be a data breach on a service provider's end.

I have sent cryptocurrency to the address presented in this email, can I get my money back?

No, the transferred funds cannot be retrieved due to the nearly untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by a spam email, what should I do?

If you have provided your log-in credentials – immediately change the passwords of all potentially exposed accounts and inform their official support. And if you've disclosed other private data (e.g., ID card details, passport photos/scans, credit card numbers, etc.) – contact the appropriate authorities without delay.

I have read a spam email but didn't open the attachment, is my computer infected?

Devices are infected when malicious attachments/links are opened; merely reading an email poses no such threat.

I have downloaded and opened a file attached to a spam email, is my computer infected?

If the opened file was an executable (.exe, .run, etc.) – most likely, yes – your system was infected. However, you might have avoided an infection if it was a document (.doc, .xls, .pdf, .one, etc.). Some of these formats may require additional user interaction to jumpstart malware download/installation chains (e.g., enabling macro commands, clicking embedded files/links, etc.).

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections present in email attachments?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is designed to eliminate all manner of threats. It can detect and remove most of the known malware infections. Note that running a full system scan is paramount since sophisticated malicious programs usually hide deep within systems.