How to Fight Online Blackmail and Digital Extortion

The digital age has made blackmail and extortion even easier. Hackers can use various techniques to acquire blackmail material. Scammers will even lie about having material to try and squeeze money out of their victims. If a hacker or scammer tries to blackmail you, it can be tough to figure out what to do. This article will teach you how to fight online blackmail and digital extortion.

Learn what blackmail is here.

Forms of Online Blackmail and Digital Extortion

There is a distinction between blackmail and extortion.

When someone threatens to reveal embarrassing information about you, that is blackmail. An excellent example of blackmail is the “blackmail for watching porn” case. These scammers threaten to release videos of the victim watching pornography to their family and friends unless they pay.

Extortion, on the other hand, involves some form of threat of harm. In the real world, extortion usually involves threats of violence, but not in the digital world. Online, an excellent example of digital extortion is ransomware. Malicious software designed to lock a victim’s computer unless they pay a ransom is a clear example of digital extortion. Or the claim of having nude images or sexually related videos of yourself or someone you know, and the threat to publicize this material. Which is also called sextortion.

These are serious criminal offenses in both cases, and you should treat them accordingly.

How to Fight Online Blackmail and Digital Extortion

When it comes to online blackmail and digital extortion, you got a few different responses depending on the situation. You can learn what to do if you are blackmailed here or read the following steps below.

Online Blackmail

Depending on the type of online blackmail, there are a few things you need to do. The first step is for you to determine whether the blackmailer is a scammer or a hacker. Our guide on the pornography blackmail scheme will teach you how to spot a scam.

The key point is to look out for proof. When a simple blackmailer messages, they’ll often provide you with evidence of the material they have on you. If someone sends you a message that doesn’t refer to you by name and contains no images, footage, or other harmful content, it’s almost certainly a scam.

If you’re convinced that your blackmailer is a scammer, you can safely ignore them without concern. If you are uncertain, call us here, and we will help you.

You should carefully consider your response if the hacker proves themselves legitimate. Under no circumstances should you pay the hacker. If you pay, the hacker will keep demanding more money in the future, creating a never-ending cycle.

In most cases, your best option is to face the subject of blackmail itself. If it’s something you can come to terms with, sharing it yourself removes all power from the blackmailer. Without anything to embarrass or harm you with, the hacker won’t make money from you. However, this should be a last resort.

Digital Extortion or Sextortion

Digital extortion can be a little harder to deal with than online blackmail. If your computer or other devices are being held for ransom, you should immediately stop using them. Disconnect affected devices from the internet and make sure they remain switched off. If you continue using blocked devices, you could cause further harm.

Avoid paying the ransom, as it’s doubtful that you will regain access to your devices afterward. Instead, hackers will likely retain access to your system, mine your data, or demand even more money.

If you’re physically threatened, then you should immediately contact the authorities.

How We Can Help

We have a new service called Stop Blackmailing, where you can get more information and help.

If you’ve been the victim of online blackmail or digital extortion, get help here.

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