You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Hacking email

Hi I hope you can help.


I have been sent a hacking email. It lists my email address and a old password. This has sent me into panic mode. It says that they have put Trojan virus on all my web browser. They can see my photos and will put them all on the internet unless I pay into their crypto account. I know this is a scam and have change my email password again, but how did they know my old email password? I have also used this password on several other accounts ( yes I know I shouldn’t have) lesson learnt.


is this something to worry about?

Thanks in advance.

iPad Pro, iPadOS 15

Posted on Sep 16, 2022 11:01 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 16, 2022 11:40 AM

You have received a scam email designed to prey upon the insecurities of their victims. Email addresses and passwords are derived from security breaches that have occurred with services to which your have subscribed. If received via email, do not interact with the email; just delete it - and ensure that it has been similarly deleted from your Bin/Trash folder.


Due to the system architecture of iOS/iPadOS, unless jailbroken, your iPad is not susceptible to traditional malware infection per-se. However, as with all computer systems, there are still vulnerabilities and exploits to which you remain vulnerable. For older devices, no longer benefiting from regular security updates, the risk of an unpatched vulnerability being exploited increases.


Be wary of an often repeated myth that Apple devices are immune to malware; those that perpetuate this fallacy, perhaps with food intention, do not necessarily comprehend the broader threat landscape. Consider that if the myth (and over-generalisation) were true, Apple would not expend considerable resources (as they do) in developing and issuing regular software security updates and patches for its products.


The majority of threats to which you will be invariably exposed will surface via web pages or embedded links within email. These browser-based attacks can largely be effectively mitigated by installing a good Content and Ad-blocking product. One of the very best and most respected within the Apple App Store - designed for iPad, iPhone and Mac - is 1Blocker for Safari.

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1blocker-for-safari/id1365531024


1Blocker is highly configurable - and crucially does not rely upon an external proxy-service of dubious provenance. All processing takes place on your device - and contrary to expectations, Safari will run faster and more efficiently. 


Unwanted content is not simply filtered after download (a technique used by basic/inferior products), but instead undesirable embedded content blocked form download. A further benefit on metered services, such as cellular connections where you data may be capped or chargeable, this not only improves speed but also saves you money. 1Blocker has also recently introduced its new “Firewall” functions - that are explicitly designed to block “trackers”. Being implemented at the network-layer, this additional protection works across all Apps. Recent updates to 1Blocker has introduced additional network extensions, extending protection to other Apps.


A further measure to improve protection is to use a security focussed DNS Service in preference to automatic DNS settings. This can either be set on a per-device basis in iPad Settings, or can be set-up on your home Router - and in so doing extends the benefit of this specific protection to other devices on your local network. I recommend using one of the following DNS services - for which IPv4 and IPv6 server addresses are listed:


Quad9 (recommended)


9.9.9.9

149.112.112.112

2620:fe::fe

2620:fe::9



OpenDNS


208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220

2620:0:ccc::2

2620:0:ccd::2


Cloudflare+APNIC


1.1.1.1

1.0.0.1

2606:4700:4700::1111

2606:4700:4700::1001



Use of the above DNS services will help to shield you from “known bad” websites and URLs - and when used alongside 1Blocker, or other Content Blocker provides defense in depth.


There are advanced techniques to further “harden” iOS/iPadOS (such as using DoH, DoT and DNSSEC). Apple has recently introduced its new Private Relay to its iCloud+ subscribers - in part employing ODoH as an element of this new functionality.


I hope this information and insight proves to be helpful. 


5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 16, 2022 11:40 AM in response to TheEmmaG

You have received a scam email designed to prey upon the insecurities of their victims. Email addresses and passwords are derived from security breaches that have occurred with services to which your have subscribed. If received via email, do not interact with the email; just delete it - and ensure that it has been similarly deleted from your Bin/Trash folder.


Due to the system architecture of iOS/iPadOS, unless jailbroken, your iPad is not susceptible to traditional malware infection per-se. However, as with all computer systems, there are still vulnerabilities and exploits to which you remain vulnerable. For older devices, no longer benefiting from regular security updates, the risk of an unpatched vulnerability being exploited increases.


Be wary of an often repeated myth that Apple devices are immune to malware; those that perpetuate this fallacy, perhaps with food intention, do not necessarily comprehend the broader threat landscape. Consider that if the myth (and over-generalisation) were true, Apple would not expend considerable resources (as they do) in developing and issuing regular software security updates and patches for its products.


The majority of threats to which you will be invariably exposed will surface via web pages or embedded links within email. These browser-based attacks can largely be effectively mitigated by installing a good Content and Ad-blocking product. One of the very best and most respected within the Apple App Store - designed for iPad, iPhone and Mac - is 1Blocker for Safari.

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1blocker-for-safari/id1365531024


1Blocker is highly configurable - and crucially does not rely upon an external proxy-service of dubious provenance. All processing takes place on your device - and contrary to expectations, Safari will run faster and more efficiently. 


Unwanted content is not simply filtered after download (a technique used by basic/inferior products), but instead undesirable embedded content blocked form download. A further benefit on metered services, such as cellular connections where you data may be capped or chargeable, this not only improves speed but also saves you money. 1Blocker has also recently introduced its new “Firewall” functions - that are explicitly designed to block “trackers”. Being implemented at the network-layer, this additional protection works across all Apps. Recent updates to 1Blocker has introduced additional network extensions, extending protection to other Apps.


A further measure to improve protection is to use a security focussed DNS Service in preference to automatic DNS settings. This can either be set on a per-device basis in iPad Settings, or can be set-up on your home Router - and in so doing extends the benefit of this specific protection to other devices on your local network. I recommend using one of the following DNS services - for which IPv4 and IPv6 server addresses are listed:


Quad9 (recommended)


9.9.9.9

149.112.112.112

2620:fe::fe

2620:fe::9



OpenDNS


208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220

2620:0:ccc::2

2620:0:ccd::2


Cloudflare+APNIC


1.1.1.1

1.0.0.1

2606:4700:4700::1111

2606:4700:4700::1001



Use of the above DNS services will help to shield you from “known bad” websites and URLs - and when used alongside 1Blocker, or other Content Blocker provides defense in depth.


There are advanced techniques to further “harden” iOS/iPadOS (such as using DoH, DoT and DNSSEC). Apple has recently introduced its new Private Relay to its iCloud+ subscribers - in part employing ODoH as an element of this new functionality.


I hope this information and insight proves to be helpful. 


Sep 16, 2022 11:15 AM in response to TheEmmaG

They probably bought your email address (legitimate addresses are sold all the time) and they somehow got an old password. I've had the same threatening email. Contrary to what they claim, they cannot see the contents of your device unless you grant access. So, delete it and do not click on anything - they want you to be scared and do whatever they say - this is how they make money. If it makes you feel better, change your passwords.

Hacking email

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.