Security alert: Beware of email threats

The following information was distributed by Walter Ray, chief information security officer

Security alert – beware of email threats

The FBI has issued an alert about a new email scam that is currently circulating. This is an email that threatens to make public your personal and sometimes very private information unless you pay a ransom in an electronic currency called Bitcoin.

It is easy to become intimidated by threats like this and you might be pushed into trying to prevent possible negative consequences. However, do not fall for pressure tactics. If you pay the ransom, the scammers will sell your address to others causing you to receive even more extortion attempts and other email threats.

If you receive email extortion demands, do not answer or pay anything. Report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and forward a copy of the scam email to STOPSPAM@augusta.edu. For more details regarding this threat, click here.