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What you need to know and how to protect your family
What you need to know and how to protect your family
You’ve probably heard the term “sextortion” in the news, but what is it, and why is it something you need to be aware of? In simple terms, sextortion is a type of blackmail where criminals threaten to share intimate photos, videos, or personal information unless a ransom is paid. It can happen to anyone, and it’s important to know how to protect yourself and your family.
So, what should you know, and what can you do about it?
How Does Sextortion Start?
Criminals use different tricks to get their hands on compromising material, but the vast majority of cases start out with a Casual "Connection" over Whatsapp, Instagram, TikTok, Discord etc. As an example, they will send a message saying they met you at an event or they got your number from a friend of a friend because they thought you were really attractive, and start up a very flirtatious and flattering conversation. This is often called "Love Bombing." After a few days or weeks, they will ask for a compromising photo, often after sending one of themselves (which is obviously not real).
Once they have compromising photos of the victim, they turn mean and angry and start threatening to send this picture to the victims parents, work colleagues, teachers etc. unless the victim pays a ransom, or sends more photos, which just makes the problem worse. They may even threaten to hurt the victim's friends, parents, pets etc. if they do not comply.
Sextorion happens to many adults, but the primary target is teenagers who are more susceptible to this kind of thing. There is a very good interactive video at https://noescaperoom.org which shows how easy it is to be a victim of this, and some signs to look out for.
How Can Parents Spot the Signs?
If you’re a parent, it’s important to be aware of the warning signs that your child might be a victim of sextortion. Here are a few things to look out for:
Behavioral Changes: Has your child suddenly become more withdrawn or anxious? This could be a sign that something’s wrong.
Fear of Devices: Are they avoiding their phone or computer, or do they seem on edge when using it?
Requests for Money: If your child suddenly needs money, it might be because they’re trying to pay off an extortionist.
How to Prevent Sextortion
There are some straightforward steps you can take to reduce the risk of becoming a victim:
Talk About It: Have open conversations with your kids about the dangers of sharing personal information or images online. Once something is sent, it’s out of their control.
Set Boundaries: Encourage your children to be cautious about who they talk to online. Just because someone seems friendly doesn’t mean they are.
Use Strong Security Settings: Make sure your family’s social media accounts have strict privacy settings in place so that strangers can’t contact them easily.
Protect Devices: Use good antivirus and parental control software and make sure your devices are secure and up to date to prevent hackers from accessing them.
Monitor Activity: Without invading their privacy, check in regularly on your child’s online interactions. Use parental controls if necessary to keep an eye on things.
What to Do If It Happens
What to Do If It Happens
If you or your child are targeted by a sextortionist, don’t panic. Here’s what you should do:
Don’t Pay: It’s tempting to pay to make the threats stop, but often, paying only leads to more demands.
Report It: Make sure your child knows it is safe for them to report it to you and they will NOT be in trouble and you won't freak out. School counselors are also very familiar with this issue if parents are not an option. Go to the police immediately, or at least report it to someone who works with this regularly who is able to help. If you don't know anyone, the Pepkor InfoSec team can point you in the right direction and will maintain strict confidence.
Save the Evidence: Don’t delete any messages or emails from the scammer. This evidence will be needed for the investigation.
Cut Contact: Block the person on all platforms and stop communicating with them.
5. Get Support: Being a victim of sextortion can be traumatic. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help or advice from a counselor or support group.
If you or your child have posted compromising photos online already, it is not too late. Police and councellors who deal with this regularly can help, and there is a site at https://takeitdown.ncmec.org that allows you to add digital representaions of compromising pictures of minors to the global CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material) database (just a value that represents the picture, not the picture itself or any other information related to the victim) that can prevent it from being sent further.
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Sextortion is a rapidly growing threat, but being aware of the signs and taking preventive steps can help protect you and your family. Have regular conversations with your kids about online safety and remind them to be cautious. And remember, if something does go wrong, there are steps you can take to address the situation quickly and safely.
Stay safe online!
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