FBI: Hackers target online accounts to steal nude photos

The FBI warns that cybercriminals are targeting adults' and children's social media and other online accounts to steal sexually explicit images or videos.

As the law enforcement agency explained in a public service announcement published this week, the attackers may use the stolen content to blackmail the victims or try to sell it on criminal marketplaces.

They may also share the victims' personal information (including names, dates of birth, emails, phone numbers, and social media usernames) with other criminals, who can use it to pressure them into providing additional private images and videos through sextortion.

Sextortion is a form of online blackmail in which cybercriminals threaten victims with publicly leaking nude images and videos they stole (through hacking) or obtained (through coercion). In some cases, they may also demand payment not to leak the explicit content online or share it with the targets' family and friends.