So, a guy - not a member of my Church - came to me in my role as Pastor, knowing that I had a pretty extensive background in computers.
It took him a while to get around to his question.
He started with the question about ransomware - how a hacker can put a virus on your computer, and make you pay money to remove it, etc.
Then it got interesting.
This particular email threat stated that he had been caught "playing with himself" while viewing a porn site, and they had captured his IP address, turned on his camera remotely, and recorded him.
It also, allegedly, planted a keylogger, scooped up a list of his contacts, and if he did not send $400, it would send a copy of the video of himself "playing with himself" to everybody on his contact list.
The email stated "$400 seems like a fair price to save you this humiliation".
I saw the email - it was very polite, and explained that there's nothing wrong with 'the act', but it would, indeed, be quite embarrassing for all his contacts - possibly even his boss - to see that.
The guy was quite concerned, while avoiding implicating himself in any way.
I asked him, "do you usually use a laptop or a desktop when going online". He said he didn't have a laptop computer. I explained, "ok, cause most newer laptops have a camera".
Then I asked if the monitor he uses has a built in camera - usually not. He looked relieved - no, the monitor he uses 'for that' does not have a camera.
OK, I continued, do you have any computers that have a camera facing you, that might be turned on remotely? He thought for a minute, then said the only device he has with such a camera is his iPhone, and he never ... um... "views stuff" on his phone.
I said, "ok, so the threat of somebody sending a video of you doing something embarrassing is pretty much empty, yes?"
He seemed relieved. But I suggested - "while 'viewing stuff' online, why don't you just pretend that you ARE being recorded, and maybe your behavior will be different". He seemed to think that was a great idea.
IN CLOSING, I asked him - did you RESPOND to that email, or otherwise OPEN it? He started looking worried all over again. Ooooops! (I knew he opened it, cause he printed a copy to show me)
Aint' it a crazy world in which we live?
It took him a while to get around to his question.
He started with the question about ransomware - how a hacker can put a virus on your computer, and make you pay money to remove it, etc.
Then it got interesting.
This particular email threat stated that he had been caught "playing with himself" while viewing a porn site, and they had captured his IP address, turned on his camera remotely, and recorded him.
It also, allegedly, planted a keylogger, scooped up a list of his contacts, and if he did not send $400, it would send a copy of the video of himself "playing with himself" to everybody on his contact list.
The email stated "$400 seems like a fair price to save you this humiliation".
I saw the email - it was very polite, and explained that there's nothing wrong with 'the act', but it would, indeed, be quite embarrassing for all his contacts - possibly even his boss - to see that.
The guy was quite concerned, while avoiding implicating himself in any way.
I asked him, "do you usually use a laptop or a desktop when going online". He said he didn't have a laptop computer. I explained, "ok, cause most newer laptops have a camera".
Then I asked if the monitor he uses has a built in camera - usually not. He looked relieved - no, the monitor he uses 'for that' does not have a camera.
OK, I continued, do you have any computers that have a camera facing you, that might be turned on remotely? He thought for a minute, then said the only device he has with such a camera is his iPhone, and he never ... um... "views stuff" on his phone.
I said, "ok, so the threat of somebody sending a video of you doing something embarrassing is pretty much empty, yes?"
He seemed relieved. But I suggested - "while 'viewing stuff' online, why don't you just pretend that you ARE being recorded, and maybe your behavior will be different". He seemed to think that was a great idea.
IN CLOSING, I asked him - did you RESPOND to that email, or otherwise OPEN it? He started looking worried all over again. Ooooops! (I knew he opened it, cause he printed a copy to show me)
Aint' it a crazy world in which we live?
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