MJ’s Daily Nugget: Watch Out for These Computer Extortionware Scams

MJ has a big security alert for listeners.

Cyber ransomware is when a hacker locks up your computer and holds your data for ransom. Essentially, you can't get into your device and you have to pay to get everything back. One of the biggest issues is that even if you do pay the hacker (who is likely to be in another country) they may not even release your information back to you. So not only are you out of a computer, but now you are out of getting your money back.

MJ came across a story that has inspired a new version of ransomware, called extortionware. This is when a hacker will hold your information, demand money, and threaten to release the information to relatives, co-workers, or employers. It's basically a combined version of ransomware and blackmail.

MJ and the gang talk about one hacker who was threatening to release a victim's porn files.