Beware of Ransom Scam Email

The ITS Cybersecurity & Identity team, along with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln police, have been made aware of a scam extortion email being received by university personnel across the system.

The sender of the email claims to know the recipient’s password and includes the password in the email. The scammer claims that they will release embarrassing information, along with video captured through the recipient’s computer camera, unless the recipient sends a specified amount of money. The scammer claims if they do not receive the ransom, they will release the video to all the contacts in the recipient’s email account.

The threat and email are not real. This email has been reported by many different companies and institutions, as well as news companies. The password the scammer included in the email is likely a password they found from a database of credentials linked to a hacked website. The password was likely used somewhere, on some site, but probably not on your account.

If you receive the email like the one linked to below, DO NOT PAY THE RANSOM and do not respond to the email. At any time, if you suspect that someone has compromised your account, you should change your password immediately and contact your IT Support person. If you receive an email like this one and you are concerned, contact your IT Support person, the security team, or campus police to help answer your questions.

See the Email