Protecting yourself online from blackmail situations

[ricerick]

Got a really disturbing message through a social app today—some random person claimed to have screenshots of personal stuff and wanted money to not share them. I haven’t responded, but the fear is real. It could be a bluff, but what if it’s not? Feels like I’m suddenly vulnerable in a way I never expected. Can anyone who’s been through something similar suggest how to protect your online presence and what to do when facing threats like this?

[jinwatkins]

Similar thing happened to a cousin of mine—total nightmare. We ended up researching everything we could about online safety, and one resource stood out big time. It’s a solid guide that really walks you through how to shield your digital life from these kinds of attacks. From password hygiene to identifying blackmail tactics, it’s covered here: https://www.technology.org/2025/05/14/pr...net-users/. Definitely worth going over—it gave us a sense of direction and peace of mind.

[FoddyJin]

Following this thread closely—this type of situation is becoming way too common. Having clear steps and knowing how to respond can make a big difference. Glad this topic is being talked about more openly now.