Cyber Extortion – What to Do and How to Protect Yourself?

Cyber extortion is a growing concern today, especially with the increased use of technology and the internet. It is an online crime where cybercriminals use technology to threaten victims or demand money in exchange for not disclosing sensitive information. Unfortunately, many victims of cyber extortion are left wondering if any help is available. This blog post will discuss whether the police can do anything about digital extortion and what steps victims can take to protect themselves.

Can the police do anything about cyber extortion?

In the event of cyber extortion, it’s crucial to report the crime promptly to the police. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that cybercrime can be tricky to solve, and the police may face resource constraints. Nevertheless, reporting the crime can aid them in building a case and tracking similar incidents.

Additionally, they can inform other organizations, like the FBI, if the crime is part of a more significant cybercrime network. Reporting the offense is always the right thing to do, even if a speedy resolution is not possible.

How do you report cyber extortion?

Firstly, it is crucial to recognize that reporting any cyber extortion incident to the appropriate authorities is essential. Cyber attackers often leave traces that specialized security agencies can trace. Failure to report could impede the efforts of the authorities to protect you and other potential victims.

Your report also helps investigators understand what the attackers did, how they did it, and who might be behind it. Often, they are not caught the first time they commit the crime, but enough reports will build evidence that can be used to catch them in the future.

So, how does one go about reporting cyber extortion? Let’s get into it. It would be best first to document all the incidents that led to the extortion. This includes emails, phone calls, and other means of communication the attacker used. Do not delete any correspondence until you have reported it. This way, the authorities can gather evidence that is critical for them to investigate the incident further.

Next, gather forensic evidence to help investigators find clues to the attacker’s identity. For instance, if they asked for a Bitcoin ransom, you could track the ransom payment on the Bitcoin blockchain, as it is a public ledger. The authorities could follow the money trail to investigate the source and identify the attacker. We advise against paying the ransom, and if it has already been paid, make a report to the relevant authorities as this still constitutes a crime.

Lastly, digital extortion attacks can be reported to the local authorities and other organizations specializing in cybercrime. The National Cyber Security Center, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) are all resources that can help you report cyber extortion attacks. These agencies have specialized teams that investigate cybercrime and can provide insights to help you recover your data.

Conclusion

Digital extortion can be a stressful and traumatizing experience. However, by taking the proper steps and working with the police, you can increase the chances of bringing those responsible to justice. Remember to report the crime as soon as possible, provide evidence, work with a cybercrime expert or legal counsel if necessary, and always take steps to protect yourself. Doing so can help prevent cyber extortion from becoming a more significant problem.

Read our next article “How to deal with cyber extortion?“