FBI Warns Social Media Hackers Steal Intimate Images for Sextortion
The FBI warns hackers target adults, children and student-athletes, stealing intimate media through reused passwords, impersonation and phishing attacks.
Summary
On August 11, 2026, the FBI warned that cybercriminals are breaching adults’ and children’s social media accounts to steal explicit images and videos, then extorting victims or publishing the material. Victims can face harassment, sextortion, stalking and targeted attacks, including advertisements for stolen content posted on their own profiles. Rachel Tobac, CEO of SocialProof Security, said the longstanding crime may be increasing, especially targets young boys and is a public health issue because some victims are driven to self-harm.
Attackers brute-force accounts with leaked or reused passwords, pose as customer support for Instagram and other platforms, claim an account needs recovery, and send phishing emails linking to lookalike login domains. The FBI, which declined further comment and referred TechCrunch to its press release, said student-athletes are frequently targeted because of their public profiles. It recommends unique passwords stored in a password manager, multi-factor authentication, distrust of unsolicited platform representatives because technology companies generally do not contact customers, and keeping intimate pictures out of online accounts.
Positives
- The August 11, 2026 FBI alert details the account takeover methods used to steal intimate images and videos.
- The FBI recommends storing unique passwords in a password manager rather than reusing credentials.
- Multi-factor authentication should be enabled to strengthen social media account protection.
- The FBI advises rejecting unsolicited messages from supposed social media representatives and avoiding online storage of intimate pictures.
Risks & concerns
- Adults and children face extortion, harassment, sextortion, stalking and publication of intimate content stolen from social media accounts.
- Young boys are especially targeted, and Rachel Tobac said some victims are driven to self-harm.
- Student-athletes are frequently targeted because their public profiles increase their visibility, according to the FBI.
- Attackers exploit leaked or reused passwords, fake Instagram support, fraudulent recovery claims and phishing domains resembling legitimate login pages.
- Criminals may advertise stolen content directly through a victim’s compromised social media profile.