FBI warns of rising sextortion hacks targeting private photos — and shares key defense tips

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a fresh public warning about a surge in cyberattacks aimed at stealing sexually explicit images and videos from social media and personal accounts. In its latest public service announcement, the FBI states that malicious actors are breaking into accounts to download saved explicit content, then distributing it on criminal forums and marketplaces — often alongside personal details such as the victim's full name, email address, phone number, social media username, and date of birth.

While sextortion is not a new phenomenon — people have been blackmailed over explicit material long before the internet — the FBI's alert is specifically targeting both adults and children. According to the bureau, victims often remain unaware that their accounts have been compromised until they receive a demand for money or additional explicit material. In some cases, the breach is only discovered after harassment or other forms of attack begin.

The FBI emphasizes that the stolen images and videos are frequently shared on underground forums, making it difficult for victims to regain control over their content. The agency also warns that paying the ransom does not guarantee deletion of the material and may lead to further extortion attempts.

To prevent such attacks, the FBI recommends standard cybersecurity practices: avoid clicking on suspicious links, use strong and unique passwords for each account, enable two-factor authentication wherever possible, and refrain from storing compromising material in cloud services linked to primary accounts. The bureau also advises users to regularly review account activity and log out of unused sessions.

For those who have already fallen victim, the FBI urges immediate action. Victims should report the incident to local law enforcement or file a complaint through the FBI's IC3 portal. If the victim is a minor, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) should be contacted. The agency stresses that victims should not comply with demands for money or additional explicit content, as this often escalates the situation rather than resolving it.