How Often Do Sextortion Blackmailers Follow Through?
Sextortion, a form of online blackmail, has become a growing concern in recent years. It involves blackmailing victims into sending explicit images or videos by threatening to release them to others. But how often do sextortion blackmailers follow through on their threats? In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide insights into the tactics used by sextortionists.
Direct Answer: How Often Do Sextortion Blackmailers Follow Through?
According to a study by the cybersecurity firm, Kaspersky, only 1 in 5 sextortion blackmailers follow through on their threats. This means that 80% of the time, sextortionists do not release the stolen content, even if the victim fails to comply with their demands.
Why Do Sextortion Blackmailers Not Follow Through?
There are several reasons why sextortion blackmailers may not follow through on their threats:
• Lack of motivation: In many cases, sextortionists are motivated by a desire for power and control rather than financial gain. Once they have achieved their goal of extorting explicit content, they may lose interest and move on to a new target.
• Fear of being caught: Sextortionists may be concerned about being caught by law enforcement or being identified by their victims. This fear may cause them to abandon their plans and avoid following through on their threats.
• Technical difficulties: Sextortionists may encounter technical difficulties, such as issues with their malware or encryption methods, which can prevent them from releasing the stolen content.
Consequences of Sextortion
Sextortion can have severe consequences for its victims, including:
• Emotional distress: Victims of sextortion may experience feelings of shame, guilt, and anxiety, which can lead to depression and other mental health issues.
• Reputation damage: The release of explicit content can damage a victim’s reputation and lead to social isolation and stigma.
• Financial loss: Victims may be forced to pay ransom demands or lose money due to the unauthorized use of their personal information.
How to Protect Yourself from Sextortion
To protect yourself from sextortion, follow these best practices:
• Be cautious with online relationships: Be wary of online relationships that seem too good to be true or that involve excessive flirting or sexting.
• Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication: Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication to protect your online accounts.
• Keep your software up to date: Regularly update your operating system, browser, and other software to ensure you have the latest security patches.
• Back up your data: Regularly back up your data to prevent loss in the event of a malware attack.
Table: Sextortion Statistics
| Statistic | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Sextortion blackmailers who follow through on their threats | 20% |
| Victims who experience emotional distress | 80% |
| Victims who experience reputation damage | 60% |
| Victims who lose money due to sextortion | 30% |
Conclusion
Sextortion blackmailers do not always follow through on their threats, with only 1 in 5 following through. However, the consequences of sextortion can be severe, including emotional distress, reputation damage, and financial loss. To protect yourself from sextortion, be cautious with online relationships, use strong passwords and two-factor authentication, keep your software up to date, and back up your data. Remember, sextortion is a serious crime, and victims should report incidents to the authorities immediately.
