Whitemail

Search Dictionary

Definition of 'Whitemail'

Whitemail is a form of extortion in which the perpetrator threatens to release sensitive information about the victim unless they pay a ransom. The term is derived from the color white, which is often associated with purity and innocence. This is meant to suggest that the perpetrator is not acting out of malice, but rather is simply trying to protect the victim from embarrassment or harm.

Whitemail is often used by criminals to target businesses and individuals. In one common scenario, a cybercriminal will hack into a company's computer system and steal sensitive data, such as customer lists, financial records, or intellectual property. The criminal then threatens to release the data to the public or sell it to competitors unless the company pays a ransom.

Whitemail can also be used by individuals to target other individuals. For example, a former lover may threaten to release compromising photos or videos of their ex-partner unless they agree to give them money or other favors.

Whitemail is a serious crime, and it is important to take steps to protect yourself from becoming a victim. If you receive a threat from a cybercriminal, you should not respond to it. Instead, you should contact the authorities immediately.

Here are some tips for protecting yourself from whitemail:

* Use strong passwords and security measures to protect your computer and other devices.
* Keep your software up to date with the latest security patches.
* Be careful about what information you share online.
* If you receive a threat from a cybercriminal, do not respond to it. Instead, contact the authorities immediately.

Do you have a trading or investing definition for our dictionary? Click the Create Definition link to add your own definition. You will earn 150 bonus reputation points for each definition that is accepted.

Is this definition wrong? Let us know by posting to the forum and we will correct it.