This is my first time on a forum and I am in need of some serious advice. About two weeks ago, I received an email from an address (passwordresets@tormail.org). I had no idea what it was so when I opened it, I saw three photo attachments that came from my computer. I freaked out as I had not posted them to the internet or anything. About a week after that, I receive another email in the exact same fashion with a different email address (I can post it upon request) from someone calling himself David. Opened it, and it's the exact same email. No subject, but the same 3 pictures. I responded, asking who it is sending the pictures, and I got the name David. I said "who is David," to which he replied today "just David." What the heck is going on? I have searched all over to find an answer but I can't seem to find an answer without going into complete detail. What can I do to find out who this ****** is and what he/she wants from me? And hopefully where he is and how this happened... I'm using a MacBook Pro 2011 with OSX 10.8.3 and the pictures that were taken were in a locked .dmg folder because they are extremely important and I don't want outside access...
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Help!! - Received unsolicited email containing personal photos from my own HD
- Thread starter Cobzilla
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Given that the person who sent you the email used a tormail address, you can do absolutely nothing to find out who this person is or where they're located. Tormail provides 100% anonymous email service to those who need it and will not cooperate with anyone (including law enforcement) trying to identify a tormail user. I have no clue how someone would have gained access to files on your computer that were never uploaded before, so the first step would be to go to System Preferences > Sharing and make sure that no boxes are ticked in that pane.
If the second email did not come from a tormail address, there is a chance that you could identify the user, but that's provided they didn't use a proxy to change their IP. Even then, you would need to contact law enforcement to subpoena the user's ISP for them to turn over any information that could identify the account holder.
May I ask what these pictures are of and why they're so important? You may be able to contact law enforcement if this issue is serious enough.
The second email came from a gmail account. Also, the pictures are of my wife. I normally keep them on flash media, but I did not have my drive at the time and needed to back them up for the time being. I am usually very secure when it comes to that kind of stuff. Shes wanting to get into modeling and I im trying to get a portfolio together for her. Naturally, she's not completely dressed and I don't want them tampered with.
You might want to look into contacting GMail to see if they can provide any information on who the account belongs to, though I doubt they will without a subpoena. I'm not really sure how your local law enforcement would handle this situation, but I guess it is technically theft so it probably couldn't hurt to meet with someone and explain the situation to see your options.
Outside of that, I am at a loss of how someone would be able to access pictures in a locked .dmg file that have never been uploaded anywhere before. I suggest you make sure your network is password protected and also ensure that you have all options under the File Sharing preference pane turned off. There should be no way for someone to get into your computer unless you've given access.
That's what freaks me out. I have passwords on virtually everything. I'll look into it through Google next. I don't understand how this happened. It really creeps me out though.
Were these images used in her portfolio for applying for modeling jobs yet?
Who else has seen them, or could have gotten copies in some other way?
I'm sure in time "David" will tell you what he wants, you will just have to wait him out. If he directly asks for money then he has committed a crime, if he waits for you to offer money then he hasn't.
Bottom line, when you take pictures of your wife or any female of importance to you, that are not pictures you want the public to see, you take a risk. Her modeling will show her in ways it sounds like you are not prepared for. Think about this. Because it sounds like you are not ready for her to be seen this way.
Who else has seen them, or could have gotten copies in some other way?
I'm sure in time "David" will tell you what he wants, you will just have to wait him out. If he directly asks for money then he has committed a crime, if he waits for you to offer money then he hasn't.
Bottom line, when you take pictures of your wife or any female of importance to you, that are not pictures you want the public to see, you take a risk. Her modeling will show her in ways it sounds like you are not prepared for. Think about this. Because it sounds like you are not ready for her to be seen this way.
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So someone has sexy pics of your aspiring model wife that you didn't send? What makes you sure she hasn't been sending these pics to her 'anonymous' friend? If you have no security leaks as far as you know... time to have a talk with the wife, and another talk with a good attorney.