Web administrator blackmail

Attackers send an email or a message via the company's contact form stating that the server has been hacked. A ransom is to be paid to prevent the case from becoming public.

The scammers send blackmail letters claiming that a website has been hacked or that data has been leaked. This is a typical fake extortion attempt – a bluff. Scammers send these messages at random, hoping to intimidate recipients into paying a ransom. Ignore these types of emails.

• Specific measures

  • Ignore these types of messages and do not be intimidated.
  • To date, the NCSC is not aware of any cases where a web server has been hacked or data stolen after receiving such a threat.
  • If you have suffered a financial loss, we recommend that you report it to the police. You can find your nearest police station on the Suisse ePolice website.

• Preventive measures

  Measures to secure content management systems (CMS)

• How the NCSC can help

  Your report via the online form helps the NCSC identify trends. This makes it possible for the NCSC to raise public awareness in a targeted way.

• Further Information

  Web administrators targeted by would-be hackers