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Be aware of extortion scam emails claiming your data is stolen

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Be aware of extortion scam emails claiming your data is stolen

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You open your inbox and see a message that instantly makes your stomach drop. Someone claims they have your passwords, your files, your credit card details and your entire digital life. They say they will sell everything on the dark web unless you pay them quickly.

One reader, Bobby D, wrote to us after receiving a message exactly like this.

“I received the attached email, and I’m wondering what to do. I have the capability to mark it as Spam with my email provider, Earthlink. Because of its threatening nature, is there any other type of action you can recommend? I was wondering if just designating as spam, there really would be no deterrence for the sender?”

It feels personal. It feels urgent. And it feels terrifying. Then you actually read the email. “I have your complete personal information… I will send this package to dark net markets… Or you can buy it from me for 1000 USD in Bitcoin…”

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If this looks familiar, you are not alone. This exact extortion scam email is hitting inboxes everywhere right now.

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Extortion scam emails often claim hackers stole your data and demand bitcoin, but they rarely include any real proof.  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why this extortion email is a scam

At first glance, the message sounds confident and detailed. That is intentional. Once you slow down, the warning signs are obvious.

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No proof of compromise

The sender claims they stole everything but provides no real evidence. There are no screenshots, no passwords and no files attached. Scammers rely on fear, not facts.

Vague language and sloppy writing

Phrases like “a multitude of files” and “your devices” sound dramatic but say nothing specific. Real breaches include details. Scams stay vague.

Bitcoin demand and urgency

Any email demanding bitcoin while warning you not to tell anyone follows a classic scam formula. Legitimate companies do not operate this way.

Mass sent message

This email is not personal. It is part of a large campaign sent to thousands of addresses at once. The goal is to scare a few people into paying.

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These messages rely on fear and urgency to push people into acting before they have time to think. (Annette Riedl/picture alliance via Getty Images)

How scammers got your email address

Here is the uncomfortable truth. Your email address likely appeared in an old data breach somewhere online. That does not mean your computer, phone or accounts are hacked. Scammers buy leaked email lists, then send threatening messages in bulk. Even one payment makes the entire operation profitable. They are playing the odds, not targeting you.

What to do right now

If you receive an email like this, here is the correct response.

Step 1: Do not reply

Responding confirms your address is active and can lead to more threats.

Step 2: Do not send money

Paying does not make you safer. It only signals that the scam worked.

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Step 3: Mark it as spam or phishing

Flagging the email in EarthLink or any provider helps train spam filters. It reduces how often these messages reach you and others.

Step 4: Delete the message

Once it is reported, remove it and move on. To Bobby’s question, yes, marking it as spam absolutely helps. It does not stop the sender directly, but it protects you and others from future scams.

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Slowing down and verifying information independently is often all it takes to break the scam’s grip. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Ways to stay safe from extortion scam emails

You cannot stop scammers from trying. You can stop them from succeeding. These steps reduce risk and remove the fear factor.

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1) Use unique passwords for important accounts

Reused passwords make old data breaches more dangerous. A password manager helps you create and store strong, unique passwords.

Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.

2) Turn on two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second layer of protection even if a password leaks.

3) Keep devices and software updated

Updates close security gaps scammers rely on. Automatic updates offer the strongest protection.

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4) Remove your personal data from the web

Data removal services help limit how much personal information scammers can find and misuse. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com

5) Avoid links and use strong antivirus protection

Never click links in threatening emails. Strong antivirus software helps block malicious sites and fake support pages. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

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6) Slow down when messages create urgency

Scam emails rely on panic and speed. Pausing to verify removes their power.

7) Reporting still matters even if it feels pointless

Many people wonder if marking these emails as spam does anything at all. It does. Spam reports help email providers identify patterns, block sender networks and reduce future scam attempts. You may not stop the individual scammer, but you help protect everyone else.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Extortion scam emails succeed because they hijack fear. They want you to act fast, alone and without thinking. The moment you pause, question the message and verify safely, the threat collapses. No stolen files. No hacked devices. Just a recycled script designed to scare. If you received one of these emails, you did the right thing by stopping and asking.

Have you ever received a threatening email that made your heart race before you realized it was a scam? What helped you spot it, or what would you do differently next time? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. 

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Apple is going high-end with new ‘Ultra’ products next

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Apple is going high-end with new ‘Ultra’ products next

Fresh off launching the low-cost MacBook Neo, Apple is reportedly preparing at least three new products that will fit into its highest-end “ultra” lineup. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gruman, the next batch of releases may not bear the “ultra” name, like its Watch, but will all command price premiums over their mainline counterparts.

There’s the oft-rumored foldable iPhone, which is expected to cost around $2,000, and a touchscreen MacBook Pro is supposedly slated for the fall. Those are pretty straightforward plays for the higher end of the market. More interesting are the next-gen AirPods, which are rumored to include cameras to feed visual context to Siri. Since AirPods already use the Pro and Max branding, similar to Apple Silicon, a set of AirPods Ultra could very well be on the docket.

Between the Neo and multiple foldables in the works, it seems that Apple is simultaneously trying to go further up- and down-market.

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Meta smart glasses privacy concerns grow

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Meta smart glasses privacy concerns grow

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Smart glasses promise a future where technology blends into everyday life. You can ask a question, snap a quick video or identify what you are looking at in seconds. It sounds convenient. However, a new investigation suggests the experience may come with a privacy tradeoff many users never expected.

According to an investigation by Swedish newspapers Svenska Dagbladet and Göteborgs-Posten, contractors reviewing AI data in Nairobi, Kenya, may have seen highly personal footage captured by Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses. In some cases, the videos reportedly showed bathroom visits, sexual activity and other intimate moments.

The allegations have already sparked legal action and renewed debate about how AI systems are trained.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg sported a pair of Meta Ray-Ban Display AI glasses while speaking at an event in Menlo Park, California, on Sept. 17, 2025. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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Report claims Meta smart glasses captured private moments

The investigation focused on people who work as AI annotators. These workers review images, video or audio so artificial intelligence systems can better understand what they are processing. In simple terms, they help train the AI. Workers interviewed for the report said they sometimes review video captured by Meta’s smart glasses. According to the investigation, the footage can include extremely personal scenes recorded in everyday environments. One annotator told reporters they see everything from living rooms to naked bodies. Another worker said faces are supposed to be blurred automatically in the footage. However, the blurring reportedly fails at times, leaving some identities visible. In some clips, workers also said they could see credit cards or other sensitive details.

Why human reviewers analyze Meta smart glasses data

Many people assume AI systems learn entirely on their own. In reality, human reviewers often play a major role in training them. AI annotators help label what appears in images, identify spoken words and verify whether an AI response is correct. Without that human input, the system struggles to improve. Meta’s smart glasses include an AI assistant that answers questions about what a user is seeing. For example, a wearer might ask the glasses to identify a landmark or explain what an object is. To make those answers accurate, the system sometimes relies on training data reviewed by humans.

Meta responds to smart glasses privacy concerns

Meta says media captured by its smart glasses remains on the user’s device unless the user chooses to share it.

A Meta spokesperson provided the following statement to CyberGuy:

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Ray-Ban Meta glasses help you use AI, hands free, to answer questions about the world around you. Unless users choose to share media they’ve captured with Meta or others, that media stays on the user’s device. When people share content with Meta AI, we sometimes use contractors to review this data for the purpose of improving people’s experience, as many other companies do. We take steps to filter this data to protect people’s privacy and to help prevent identifying information from being reviewed.”

Ray-Ban Meta glasses include an LED indicator light that activates whenever photos or videos are recorded, helping signal to people nearby that content is being captured. The company’s terms of service also state that users are responsible for following applicable laws and using the glasses in a safe and respectful manner. That includes avoiding activities such as harassment, infringing on privacy rights or recording sensitive information.

Meta has also been in contact with Sama, a company that provides AI data annotation services. According to information shared by Meta, Sama said it is not aware of workflows where sexual or objectionable content is reviewed or where faces or sensitive details remain consistently unblurred. Meta is continuing to investigate the matter.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appears at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 31, 2024, to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee alongside other social media executives. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Privacy policy changes added to the concern

The controversy arises as Meta has expanded the capabilities of its AI glasses. The glasses, created with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, include a camera and an AI assistant that responds to voice questions. Sales have surged. The company reportedly sold more than 7 million pairs in 2025, a dramatic increase compared with earlier years. At the same time, Meta updated its privacy policies. One change keeps the AI camera features active unless users turn off the Hey Meta voice command. Another removes the ability to opt out of storing voice recordings in the cloud. For privacy advocates, those changes make the investigation more troubling.

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What this means to you

If you use smart glasses or similar wearable technology, the report highlights an important reality. AI devices often collect more information than people realize. When people share content with AI systems, human reviewers may analyze that material to help improve the technology. That means the footage captured by your device may be seen by someone else during the training process. Wearable cameras also record everyday life, which makes it easy for private or sensitive moments to be captured unintentionally. Even when companies use tools to blur faces or hide identifying details, those systems do not always work perfectly. As a result, personal information can sometimes still appear in the footage. Privacy policies also evolve as companies roll out new AI features. Staying aware of those updates can help you decide how comfortable you are with the technology you are using.

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Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com       

Mark Zuckerberg wears the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses while speaking at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, on Sept. 17, 2025. (Reuters/Carlos Barria)

Kurt’s key takeaways

Smart glasses are quickly moving from novelty to everyday gadget. The idea of having AI help you understand the world around you is undeniably appealing. However, the same technology that makes these devices powerful also raises complicated privacy questions. Cameras that are always within reach, AI systems that learn from real-world footage and human reviewers who help train those systems create a chain of data that many users rarely think about. As smart wearables become more common, transparency about how that data is used will matter more than ever.

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So here is the bigger question. Would you feel comfortable wearing AI glasses if someone halfway around the world might review the footage your device captures? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter 

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.  

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Listen to this: Mabe Fratti’s experimental cello pop

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Listen to this: Mabe Fratti’s experimental cello pop

The opening notes of “Kravitz”, which kicks off Mabe Fratti’s 2024 record Sentir Que No Sabes, are lodged in my brain permanently. It’s not a showy album, by any means. But there’s something about the buzzing of her cello, plucked as you might an upright bass. The way they ring out before coming to an abrupt stop, fuzz still hanging in the air, set against a simple kick and snare sat firmly in the pocket. There’s something industrial about the way it all comes together, like a jazzy “Closer.”

Then come Fratti’s paranoid lyrics in Spanish about ears in the ceiling and someone listening through the walls, and the slightly atonal horn blasts. In the back half, the arrangement blooms with big piano chords, and the drums pick up steam. It’s the perfect opening to a record that sees Fratti taking her experimental impulses and working them into something that more closely resembles pop music, straying further from her avant-garde roots.

Fratti was born in Guatemala, but operates out of Mexico. She’s told Pitchfork that, as a child, her parents mostly played Christian and classical music around the house. But as a teen, she discovered Limewire and the works of experimental composers like György Ligeti. This more expansive, internet-fed musical diet is on display in tracks like “Pantalla Azul.” It flits about, toying with various styles from goth rock to new age, but always coming back to the strength of Fratti’s melodic instincts. Meanwhile, “Oidos” leans fully into chamber pop, with echoed cello stabs, plaintive trumpet, and what sounds like an autoharp.

Even when the arrangements are stripped down, Sentir Que No Sabes sounds lush and enveloping. It would feel equally at home in a coffee shop or on an arena stage. The production from I. La Católica (Héctor Tosta) is the glue holding together Fratti’s frantic stylistic shifts and jagged cello manipulations. It would be easy for the delicate horns, atonal pizzicato strings, and icy digital synths to sound like several different albums stitched together haphazardly. Instead, the undercurrent of unease and lightly crushed drums form a thread tying all the disparate pieces together.

That’s not to say there aren’t moments of full-on experimental freakouts. Fratti indulges her more abstract musical inclinations on interludes like “Elástica” I and II, but the brilliance of Sentir Que No Sabes is in how it repackages her experimental instincts into something more approachable and downright catchy at times.

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A comparison often thrown around when discussing Fratti’s music is Arthur Russell, and it makes sense. Russel was also an avant-garde cellist with surprising pop instincts. But he rarely married those two sides of his music as directly as Fratti does. For the most part, he had pop songs, and he had experimental compositions. Over her last few albums, both as a solo artist and as one half of the duo Titanic, Mabe Fratti has sought to break down those walls.

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