How to recognize scams like "I Have Penetrated Your Device's Operating System"

What is "I Have Penetrated Your Device's Operating System"?

We have reviewed this email and determined it to be fraudulent. It claims that a hacker has infiltrated the recipient’s operating system. There are at least two versions of this scam, with the alleged threat possibly phrased differently in other variants. However, the purpose of this scam is to extort money from victims.

More about the "I Have Penetrated Your Device's Operating System" scam email

This scam email claims that the sender has gained access to the recipient's device and personal data, including messages and social media accounts, by installing malware. The scammer demands a payment of $800 in Bitcoin to prevent the release of private information or compromising materials.

The email threatens to take further action if the payment is not made within 48 hours and warns that attempting to erase or damage the device will not help. The scammer also advises the recipient to be more cautious online in the future.

In another email variant, a notable difference is the payment amount, which is $1200. Also, there are at least two different BTC wallets (3N66wUstps85wvVDrFZ5CioJbVMDRJStWE and 3EMADkLn85jQHyJCmZdXaEuZhNKrBYrJtB) provided in each variant.

This type of email is a classic example of a tactic used in scareware or sextortion scams. In this type of scam, the scammer tries to intimidate the recipient into paying money by making false threats. In most cases, the scammer does not have access to your device or data.

However, this specific spam campaign is an exception. Some recipients have reported receiving a screenshot of their desktop in the email. This suggests that scammers may actually have some sort of malware injected into recipient's computer. Although it may be just a completely basic tool designed to only take screenshots, recipients should still immediately run an antivirus scan to ensure that their operating system is safe.

Threat Summary:

Name	I Have Penetrated Your Device's Operating System Email Scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	The recipient's operating system has been penetrated
Cyber Criminal Cryptowallet Address	3N66wUstps85wvVDrFZ5CioJbVMDRJStWE, 3EMADkLn85jQHyJCmZdXaEuZhNKrBYrJtB
Symptoms	Generic greeting, urgent language, suspicious links, grammatical errors.
Distribution methods	Deceptive emails, rogue online pop-up ads, search engine poisoning techniques, misspelled domains.
Damage	Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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 read more.

Similar scam emails in general

Emails of this type are scams designed to scare and extort money from recipients by making false threats. If you receive such an email, avoid engaging with it and run a security scan to ensure your system is safe. Always be cautious of unsolicited emails, and never send money or provide personal information to unknown senders.

Some examples of similar scams are "Operating System Fell To My Hacking Expertise", "Personal And Digital Security Has Been Breached", and "Is Visiting A More Convenient Way To Reach". It is important to note that fraudulent emails can also be used to distribute malware.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Threat actors often use malicious attachments or links in emails to lure users into infecting their systems. The risk of infection depends on the type of file opened. For example, executable can initiate an immediate infection, while files like infected Word documents require users to enable macros before causing harm.

Alternatively, clicking malicious links can direct users to harmful websites, where malware may be downloaded automatically or by prompting the user to download it. In most cases, malware does not activate unless the user interacts with the file or link.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Update your operating system and software regularly, and use a reputable security tool for comprehensive protection. Always download files and software from trusted sources, such as official websites or app stores, and avoid unreliable platforms like questionable websites, P2P networks, or third-party downloaders.

Avoid opening links or files in suspicious emails, and refrain from clicking on ads, pop-ups, or other content on untrustworthy websites. If you have 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 Have Penetrated Your Device's Operating System" email letter:

Hey. There's a piece of information that's rather unexpected.
18.11.2024 17:58;54 - Be advised that on this day, I have successfully penetrated your device's operating system and gained unrestricted access to your account. My watch over your digital dealings has been long-standing and comprehensive.
A virus has been installed on your system, enabling me to control your devices, particularly the display and camera. I've harvested all  your data, from messengers to social networks.
Throughout an extensive period, I've accumulated a vast amount of information on you.
Through my surveillance of you, I stumbled upon some fascinating details.
You're aware of what I've learned, and I think you know what comes now.
If you don't want me to do it, send me 800 $ (Dollar US to my Bitcoin wallet
BTC Wallet address:
3N66wUstps85wvVDrFZ5CioJbVMDRJStWE
If funding a Bitcoin wallet seems confusing, Google search is there to help with clear instructional content.
Once the funds are in, I'll take immediate action to eradicate any undesirable material. Subsequently, our paths will diverge. I'm fully commited to deactivating and eliminating all malware from your devices. You can have confidence in my word, as I'm unwavering in my commitments. It's a fair agreement, especially considering the extensive effort I've dedicated to 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, data and edited materials, without prior warning.
You see, I don't mess up. It's not a good idea to try and pull pranks on me because I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve. Complaining about me is futile because they can't find me. Erasing the drive or damaging the device won't help because I already have your data.
Responding to this message is fruitless as I didn't use a personal email to send it, and I won't be monitoring responses
Best of luck, and please don't let this get under your skin! We all have our roles, and it appears that today you've encountered an unfortunate situation.
P.s. Moving forward, it's a good idea to follow internet safety guidelines and avoid visiting suspicious websites.

Screenshot of the second variant:

Text in this variant:

Greetings. I must share some developments that are rather striking.

2/11/2024 7:43:55 - This day stands out as the moment when I cracked the security of your device's operating system and took full control of your account. My gaze has been cast upon your online presence for an extended term. I have taken control of your devices by installing a virus that accesses the display and camera. Every piece of your data, from photos to chat histories, has been transferred to my control.

Throughout an extensive period, I've accumulated a vast amount of information on you.

Through my surveillance of you, I stumbled upon some fascinating details.

I presume you recognize the gravity of what's now on the table between us. If you don't want me to do it, send me 1200 $ (US Dollar) in my bitcoin wallet.
BTC Wallet address:
3EMADkLn85jQHyJCmZdXaEuZhNKrBYrJtB

Google can help demystify the process of funding a Bitcoin wallet with its straightforward instructional guides.
Upon the receipt of funds, I will promptly take action to eliminate any undesirable material. Following that, we can go our separate ways. I also pledge to deactivate and remove any malware from your devices. You can have confidence in my word, as I consistently uphold my commitments. This arrangement is equitable, especially considering the time I've devoted to tracking your profile and traffic.

Please be advised that you have 48 hours from the time of opening this letter to make the payment!

In case I do not receive the agreed-upon amount from you after this timeframe, I will share access to your accounts, visited sites, personal data, and edited materials with the public, and no warning will be given.

Just remember: I don't make mistakes, and I strongly discourage any attempts at humor with me. My resources are abundant. Complaining about me is fruitless because they won't be able to trace me. Formatting the drive or destroying the device will be ineffective because I already possess your data.

There's no point in replying to me as I don't send messages from personal email, and I won't be able to view any replies.
Good luck, and keep your patience! We all have our roles to play, and today, you're dealing with a less favorable one.

P.s. Moving forward, it's a good idea to follow internet safety guidelines and avoid visiting suspicious websites.

For better online safety, you can utilize an antivirus such as Windows.

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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner 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 read more.

Quick menu:

• What is I Have Penetrated Your Device's Operating System scam?
• Types of malicious emails.
• How to spot a malicious email?
• What to do if you fell for an email scam?

Types of malicious emails:

Phishing Emails

Most commonly, cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick Internet users into giving away their sensitive private information, for example, login information for various online services, email accounts, or online banking information.

Such attacks are called phishing. In a phishing attack, cybercriminals usually send an email message with some popular service logo (for example, Microsoft, DHL, Amazon, Netflix), create urgency (wrong shipping address, expired password, etc.), and place a link which they hope their potential victims will click on.

After clicking the link presented in such email message, victims are redirected to a fake website that looks identical or extremely similar to the original one. Victims are then asked to enter their password, credit card details, or some other information that gets stolen by cybercriminals.

Emails with Malicious Attachments

Another popular attack vector is email spam with malicious attachments that infect users' computers with malware. Malicious attachments usually carry trojans that are capable of stealing passwords, banking information, and other sensitive information.

In such attacks, cybercriminals' main goal is to trick their potential victims into opening an infected email attachment. To achieve this goal, email messages usually talk about recently received invoices, faxes, or voice messages.

If a potential victim falls for the lure and opens the attachment, their computers get infected, and cybercriminals can collect a lot of sensitive information.

While it's a more complicated method to steal personal information (spam filters and antivirus programs usually detect such attempts), if successful, cybercriminals can get a much wider array of data and can collect information for a long period of time.

Sextortion Emails

This is a type of phishing. In this case, users receive an email claiming that a cybercriminal could access the webcam of the potential victim and has a video recording of one's masturbation.

To get rid of the video, victims are asked to pay a ransom (usually using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency). Nevertheless, all of these claims are false - users who receive such emails should ignore and delete them.

How to spot a malicious email?

While cyber criminals try to make their lure emails look trustworthy, here are some things that you should look for when trying to spot a phishing email:

• Check the sender's ("from") email address: Hover your mouse over the "from" address and check if it's legitimate. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft, be sure to check if the email address is @microsoft.com and not something suspicious like @m1crosoft.com, @microsfot.com, @account-security-noreply.com, etc.
• Check for generic greetings: If the greeting in the email is "Dear user", "Dear @youremail.com", "Dear valued customer", this should raise suspiciousness. Most commonly, companies call you by your name. Lack of this information could signal a phishing attempt.
• Check the links in the email: Hover your mouse over the link presented in the email, if the link that appears seems suspicious, don't click it. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft and the link in the email shows that it will go to firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0... you shouldn't trust it. It's best not to click any links in the emails but to visit the company website that sent you the email in the first place.
• Don't blindly trust email attachments: Most commonly, legitimate companies will ask you to log in to their website and to view any documents there; if you received an email with an attachment, it's a good idea to scan it with an antivirus application. Infected email attachments are a common attack vector used by cybercriminals.

To minimise the risk of opening phishing and malicious emails we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows. 

Example of a spam email:

What to do if you fell for an email scam?

• If you clicked on a link in a phishing email and entered your password - be sure to change your password as soon as possible. Usually, cybercriminals collect stolen credentials and then sell them to other groups that use them for malicious purposes. If you change your password in a timely manner, there's a chance that criminals won't have enough time to do any damage.
• If you entered your credit card information - contact your bank as soon as possible and explain the situation. There's a good chance that you will need to cancel your compromised credit card and get a new one.
• If you see any signs of identity theft - you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission. This institution will collect information about your situation and create a personal recovery plan.
• If you opened a malicious attachment - your computer is probably infected, you should scan it with a reputable antivirus application. For this purpose, we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
• Help other Internet users - report phishing emails to Anti-Phishing Working Group, FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, National Fraud Information Center and U.S. Department of Justice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

Scammers send the same email to many people, hoping someone falls for it. These emails are generic and not personalized.

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

Depending on the disclosed information, update your passwords right away, keep an eye on your accounts for suspicious activity, notify your bank or the proper authorities, or take other actions.

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

The risk depends on the file type. If it is an executable file, your computer might be infected. However, if it is a document or similar file and you did not take any further actions, you may have avoided infection.

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

Usually, all the claims in such emails are false/not true. So, it is unlikely that scammers have infected your computer or stolen your information.

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

Cryptocurrency transactions are permanent, so once the funds are sent, recovering them is typically impossible (unless the recipient agrees to send them back).

I have read the email but did not open the attachment, is my computer infected?

Simply reading the email without opening attachments or clicking links does not infect your computer.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections that were present in email attachment?

Combo Cleaner can effectively detect and remove most known malware. However, advanced threats often hide deep in the system, making a full system scan crucial for thorough removal.

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