The “I’m a programmer who cracked your email” scam has been circling the Internet these past few days, trying to scare people that their e-mail account got breached and that its password is now in the hands of experienced hackers. People receiving the message are demanded to pay a ransom fee in Bitcoin (the sum varying around 870 US dollars). Do not pay the money in any case as that will not help you. Read on what you must do in case you are truly breached, but keep in mind that in most cases this is a total scam.
Threat Summary
| Name | I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam |
| Type | Email Scam Message |
| Short Description | A scam that tries to scare you into paying a ransom fee for a supposed breach of your email account credentials. |
| Symptoms | You receive an email message that tries to trick you into thinking that your email account got compromised, plus that your password is leaked and exposed to hackers. |
| Distribution Method | Email Spam Messages, Suspicious Sites |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam. |
“I’m a programmer who cracked your email” Scam – Distribution Techniques
The “I’m a programmer who cracked your email” scam is mainly distributed through e-mail messages that may even be filtered as spam by email providers by now. It could also be using targeted attacks to aim for a bigger payout by companies or rich people. Different distribution tactics may exist, too. For instance, there are mentions of the “I’m a programmer who cracked your email” scam over Facebook, and the scareware tactics and doxing may be successful there, just as well.
In case your computer was truly compromised, a payload file that downloads a Trojan horse or some kind of a RAT may have been trigerred by a malicious website or redirect.
Freeware which is found on the Web can be presented as helpful also be hiding the malicious script for the scam message to appear. Refrain from opening files right after you have downloaded them. You should first scan them with a security tool, while also checking their size and signatures for anything that seems out of the ordinary. You should read the tips for preventing ransomware located at the corresponding forum thread.
“I’m a programmer who cracked your email” Scam – Information
The “I’m a programmer who cracked your email” scam is a hot topic all over the Internet, be it news websites or social networks such as Facebook. The message is sent over email and is a scareware tye that relies on social engineering. The extortionists want you to pay them for a supposed security breach that supposedly landed them your email account password.
The email message looks like the following:
The full scam message reads:
Subject: email is compromised. Password must be changed
Hello!
I’m a programmer who cracked your email account and device about half year ago.
You entered a password on one of the insecure site you visited, and I catched it.Of course you can will change your password, or already made it.
But it doesn’t matter, my rat software update it every time.Please don’t try to contact me or find me, it is impossible, since I sent you an email from your email account.
Through your e-mail, I uploaded malicious code to your Operation System.
I saved all of your contacts with friends, colleagues, relatives and a complete history of visits to the Internet resources.
Also I installed a rat software on your device and long tome spying for you.You are not my only victim, I usually lock devices and ask for a ransom.
But I was struck by the sites of intimate content that you very often visit.I am in shock of your reach fantasies! Wow! I’ve never seen anything like this!
I did not even know that SUCH content could be so exciting!So, when you had fun on intime sites (you know what I mean!)
I made screenshot with using my program from your camera of yours device.
After that, I jointed them to the content of the currently viewed site.Will be funny when I send these photos to your contacts! And if your relatives see it?
BUT I’m sure you don’t want it. I definitely would not want to …
I will not do this if you pay me a little amount.
I think $870 is a nice price for it!I accept only Bitcoins.
My BTC wallet: 17XHRucfd4kx3W5ty7ySLGiKHqmPUUdpusIf you have difficulty with this – Ask Google “how to make a payment on a bitcoin wallet”. It’s easy.
After receiving the above amount, all your data will be immediately removed automatically.
My virus will also will be destroy itself from your operating system.
My Trojan have auto alert, after this email is looked, I will be know it!
You have 2 days (48 hours) for make a payment.
If this does not happen – all your contacts will get crazy shots with your dirty life!
And so that you do not obstruct me, your device will be locked (also after 48 hours)
Do not take this frivolously! This is the last warning!
Various security services or antiviruses won’t help you for sure (I have already collected all your data).
Here are the recommendations of a professional:
Antiviruses do not help against modern malicious code. Just do not enter your passwords on unsafe sites!
I hope you will be prudent.
Bye.
Other versions may be prevalent on the web with a text stating “Email is compromised. Password must be changed“.
In fact there is also another version which is written by somebody with greater imagination that has bigger claims that all accounts you have are hacked. You can see the contents of that email below:
Subject: [user’s email address] was hacked
Hello [user’s email address]
My nickname in darknet is bruis09 (could be “higgins12”, “kippar74”, “keir43”, “des53”, “DmG_HacKeR666”, etc.).
I’ll begin by saying that I hacked this mailbox (please look on ‘from’ in your header) more than six months ago,
through it I infected your operating system with a virus (trojan) created by me and have been monitoring you for a long time.Even if you changed the password after that – it does not matter, my virus intercepted all the caching data on your computer
and automatically saved access for me.I have access to all your accounts, social networks, email, browsing history.
Accordingly, I have the data of all your contacts, files from your computer, photos and videos.I was most struck by the intimate content sites that you occasionally visit.
You have a very wild imagination, I tell you!During your pastime and entertainment there, I took screenshot through the camera of your device, synchronizing with what you are watching.
Oh my god! You are so funny and excited!I think that you do not want all your contacts to get these files, right?
If you are of the same opinion, then I think that $500 is quite a fair price to destroy the dirt I created.Send the above amount on my bitcoin wallet: 1MN7A7QqQaAVoxV4zdjdrnEHXmjhzcQ4Bq (could be 1NXNt72qfMhPZDffUEqryCYpEUzyR6LmgH, 1EZS92K4xJbymDLwG4F7PNF5idPE62e9XY or any other bitcoin waller address)
As soon as the above amount is received, I guarantee that the data will be deleted, I do not need it.Otherwise, these files and history of visiting sites will get all your contacts from your device.
Also, I’ll send to everyone your contact access to your email and access logs, I have carefully saved it!Since reading this letter you have 48 hours!
After your reading this message, I’ll receive an automatic notification that you have seen the letter.I hope I taught you a good lesson.
Do not be so nonchalant, please visit only to proven resources, and don’t enter your passwords anywhere!
Good luck!
There are a number of possibilities, but in most cases this is an absolute scam. You should ignore it. Do not reply to it. Do not pay the cybercriminals behind it. Change your email password, but first make sure your computer is clean from viruses. Also, check if you are changing it from the real URL address of your email provider and not a phishing page.
The list below consists of Bitcoin addresses which are given by the criminals for paying the ransom. The scam may have different names dubbed on these Bitcoin addresses as you can see below:
- 17XHRucfd4kx3W5ty7ySLGiKHqmPUUdpus Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1MD5rcJhECdDM1AGvdgstj6RrtbhBsE1e7 Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1BncH5WxBSYJ6mmcJC9bCRxQ6Z1evvtRxk Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1PL9ewB1y3iC7EyuePDoPxJjwC4CgAvWTo Bitcoin Email Scam
- 17vzpL7n29egdeJF1hvUE4tKV81MqsW4wF Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1FF2wjexfHHiiuWwaA6dSEeA4WzAb4ezjU Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1DVU5Q2HQ4srFNSSaWBrVNMtL4pvBkfP5w Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1GcwYRfWesiSe2fBmsVSpNG2K11zDMhksG Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1Abx4ytuJ2Mb5HtuCpbUuUuJ1q8cdrXXYT Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1PL9ewB1y3iC7EyuePDoPxJjwC4CgAvWTo Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1pfbxcjkgntzc7yfthhhtpnzyiwqeuqamu Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1EcBg6WyjGtRxTxtfCQfEZTAtPwaVVa2wZ Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1JTtwbvmM7ymByxPYCByVYCwasjH49J3Vj Bitcoin Email Scam
- 17XHRucfd4kx3W5ty7ySLGiKHqmPUUdpus Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1MAM6oPcycTrfiLPS9tjtAR8t6KDmL91fr Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1YnYAxprVrTo1WzPPzMo86ste5Ssp4xsy Bitcoin Email Scam
- 16LU6SwUDdLsAy7XXHSMg7BRbA1kfDoBnZ Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1AzdzwWHaJXytimxenzi45JVtY4FsXwLZZ Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1nxnt72qfmhpzdffueqrycypeuzyr6lmgh Bitcoin Email Scam
- 135qVXXBZb3v2tQcLJRA8UAndiUYNybh3J Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1FHPbKHcSx9CaXJzDpLoXG733ipQ77UNx9 Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1EVTLp9Xo73j8TzVCpgwC7q2SX81dE5nMB Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1DBMVxzSPZ95FDyZfopwHgxncFEsp89uuS Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1D1DZAac5chXcvULdRAk8nbxB5HWWbffwc Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1BARBfTXdwaRenZjcG8t2LAsbQm6abfw13 Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1KGjDZ7RFV39r2q1JeSpZAF5L3fnpuenmT Bitcoin Email Scam
- 19D67Tgb3neJiTHd8pZDEBYmUn2qSjxEeB Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1MN7A7QqQaAVoxV4zdjdrnEHXmjhzcQ4Bq Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1BzkoGfrLtL59ZGjhKfvBwy47DEb6oba5f Bitcoin Email Scam
- 1HQ7wGdA5G9qUtM8jyDt5obDv1x3vEvjCy Bitcoin Email Scam
You are demanded to pay “870 US dollars” to allegedly not spread your personal pictures and files to family and friends. However, you should NOT under any circumstances pay any ransom sum. No guarantee exists that your “data” is not going to be leaked even if you pay. This is known as doxing – an extortion involving the threat of releasing personal information, photos or videos which might be embarassing or otherwise unwanted by the person being extorted. Adding to all of this, giving money to cybercriminals will most likely motivate them to create more ransomware scams, “viruses” or commit different criminal activities. That may even result to the criminals wanting more money after payment.
Be sure that even if your password got leaked from an older password breach database. If you have any accounts still using that password, be certain to change them and make sure you use a different password for each account. If you can, enable two-factor authentication on the accounts. Stay safe and ever vigilant.
Remove “I’m a programmer who cracked your email” Scam
To remove the I’m a programmer who cracked your email scam you should simply delete the email message. However, if you are truly breached and you recognize any of the listed passwords, you should see the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. In case you can not get rid of files related to the scam or find out other malicious ones, you should search for and remove any leftover malware pieces with an advanced anti-malware tool. Software like that will keep your system secure in the future.
Tsetso Mihailov
Tsetso Mihailov is a tech-geek and loves everything that is tech-related, while observing the latest news surrounding technologies. He has worked in IT before, as a system administrator and a computer repair technician. Dealing with malware since his teens, he is determined to spread word about the latest threats revolving around computer security.
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- Windows
- Mac OS X
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- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam (Windows).
Get rid of I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam (Mac)
Remove I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam will be removed.
Eliminate I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam-FAQ
What Is I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam?
The I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your Mac can be the following types:
- Rogue Antivirus programs.
- Adware.
- Browser hijackers.
- Clickers.
- Fake optimizers.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam Work?
Once installed, I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam can collect data about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. This data is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the I'm a programmer who cracked your email Scam threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.