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Imagine this: you open your inbox and see a strange email with the subject line “I recorded you.” The message inside claims to have compromising videos of you taken without your knowledge. It sounds scary, right? But wait, it gets worse.
The email says it’s connected to the Pegasus spyware—yes, the infamous Pegasus that can infect iPhones, Android devices, and more.
This type of pegasus spyware email often involves scams where the sender uses the name of the spyware to instill fear and coerce the recipient into compliance or payment, often including personal information to appear legitimate. The sender threatens to send these videos to your contacts unless you pay up, often in Bitcoin.
Unfortunately, this scenario is all too real for many innocent victims of the Pegasus email scam, a new threat in the world of scam emails and cyberattacks. Whether you’ve seen a message titled “I recorded you email” or the equally cringe-worthy “Hello pervert email,” these scams are designed to frighten you into handing over only money.
So, how can you protect yourself from falling innocent victim to these Pegasus-related scams? And more importantly, how do you shield your private life from being hijacked by blackhat hackers?
Grab your popcorn (or better yet, a VPN), and let’s dive into the ins and outs of precisely what the Pegasus email scam is, Pegasus spyware, and what you can do to stay safe online.
What Is the Pegasus Email Scam?
First things first, let’s clear up a common misconception. The Pegasus email scam isn't the Pegasus spyware itself but rather a scare tactic that exploits the notoriety of the Pegasus virus iPhone and Pegasus spyware Android.
These emails typically claim that a spyware program has infected all your devices, allowing scammers to secretly activate cameras, record calls, and extract messages. In reality, it’s just a load of useless stuff meant to scare you into paying a ransom.
The email might claim that a malicious link or PDF attachment you clicked on installed the spyware. Or worse, the scammer may say that Pegasus malware was installed via a zero-click vulnerability—meaning you didn’t even have to do anything for your device to be infected by malicious software.
While Pegasus spyware is real and dangerous (we’ll get to that), most of these emails are false claims. But the scary part? Many potential victims fall for it. Who wouldn’t panic if they suddenly receive an email message claiming to have videos compromising their most private moments?
Why People Fall for Pegasus Scam Emails
These sextortion emails work because they play on your emotions. Think about it: if someone threatened to send embarrassing videos to your co-workers or family, would you take a few moments to rationally think things through? Probably not. Scammers know this and use it to their advantage.
One email may open with something like, “Hello, pervert,” trying to shame the recipient into submission. Another might provide your email password or one of your old passwords, making the threat seem more credible (scammers often obtain old passwords from data breaches and public websites).
They’ll say they hacked your webcam and have videos of your “private moments” taken while you were blissfully unaware. Yikes! But here’s the thing: even though the scammer claims they have proof, they rarely do. Most of these emails are sent out in bulk, and the only goal is to scare enough people into paying up.
For those wondering, “Why did I get a wisely card in the mail?”—rest assured, it’s not related to this scam. However, the real question is, “Why did I get this creepy email?” The answer: they’re casting a wide net, hoping to catch a few unfortunate souls in their trap.
The Real Danger: Pegasus Spyware
While most Pegasus scam emails are just that—scams—there’s a reason device owners fall for them. Pegasus spyware is terrifyingly real. Created by NSO Group, Pegasus spyware can infect Android, iOS, and Windows devices, giving hackers access to all your devices.
The Pegasus spyware can enable its operator to do some pretty spooky stuff. It can extract messages, activate microphones and cameras without your knowledge, and steal call records, texts, and even photos from encrypted messaging apps.
Worse, it can do all of this without you clicking on a malicious link or downloading a sketchy PDF attachment. It’s what we call a zero-click exploit, which means the spyware program that installs Pegasus doesn’t need your help to get onto your device.
Once Pegasus is installed, your phone basically becomes a surveillance tool for the hacker. They can see your emails, messengers, call records, photos, and more. If you think that’s bad, it gets worse.
Pegasus can also be used to record calls and even secretly activate cameras on your phone. Essentially, the attacker can see your most private moments. Talk about a very bad situation.
How the Pegasus Spyware Scam Works
Now that you know what Pegasus spyware is capable of, you can see why scammers use its name in their schemes. They’ll often send emails claiming that they’ve already infected your phone with Pegasus malware and that they have videos or photos of you doing, well, embarrassing things.
The email might even mention specific apps or services, like iCloud mail, to make the claim more convincing. “I accessed your iCloud inbox and have all your photos,” the email might say.
Or they might send a message like, “Someone sent me photos via iCloud, but they won’t load”—another trick to get you to panic.
These emails will often come with instructions on how to send Bitcoin to a provided address, usually their chosen crypto exchange. The scammer might tell you that they’ll permanently delete the compromising material after you send the payment. Spoiler alert: they won’t.
You’ll just be out some Bitcoin, and the email won’t stop. In fact, paying these scammers often results in receiving even more sextortion emails. Many victims report receiving the same email repeatedly, suggesting a coordinated effort by scammers to exploit their targets.
How to Protect Yourself from Pegasus Scam Emails
By now, you're probably thinking, “Okay, this sounds terrifying. What can I do to protect myself?” Here’s where you can act wisely. Below are some practical steps you can take to protect your online security and private life.
Don’t Engage with Scam Emails
When you receive such emails, the best thing to do is ignore them, like you would do with regular spam emails. Don’t click any links, don’t respond, and definitely don’t send Bitcoin. Remember, these are false claims designed to scare you. Delete the email immediately.
Use a VPN for Extra Security
Ah, the good ol’ VPN. It’s like adding an extra lock on your front door, except for your online activity. Using a VPN, especially one like Mysterium VPN (hint, hint), can help protect your data by encrypting your internet traffic.
It also hides your IP address, making it harder for hackers to track your online movements. Plus, it might even help you look like you’re in a nice location, by the way, without leaving the couch.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Many of these scams rely on information gathered from data breaches. If you’re using the same password for multiple accounts, it’s time to stop.
Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. This way, even if your password is compromised in a breach, the scammer won’t have access to all your accounts.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
For added protection, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts, especially your email and cloud services like iCloud. This'll prevent hackers from accessing your accounts, even if they have your password.
Install Security Updates
Whether you’re using an Android or iPhone, always keep your devices up to date with the latest security patches. These updates often fix vulnerabilities that could be exploited by spyware like Pegasus.
Be Wary of Attachments and Malicious Links
Never click on an unknown malicious link or download a PDF attachment from someone you don’t know. If you suddenly receive an email that seems suspicious, check the header information to see if the email is really coming from your email provider or if a scammer claims to be someone they’re not.
The Final Word on Pegasus Scam Emails
The Pegasus email scam and sextortion emails are frightening because they tap into our deepest fears about privacy and security.
While most of these scam emails are just smoke and mirrors, the real Pegasus spyware is a reminder of the dangers lurking online. So, take action now to protect your devices, secure your accounts, and don’t fall for scare tactics.
And remember, if a hacker ever sends you an email with “Hello pervert email” in the subject line, know you’re not alone. You’re smarter than that—and with a few cybersecurity best practices and maybe a little help from Mysterium VPN, you’ll be just fine.
After all, staying safe online shouldn’t be harder than a few clicks!
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