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Hoax Bomb Threat Spam Advisory

Organisations worldwide, including the UK have reported receiving hoax spam emails containing bomb threats.

Threat ID:
CC-2845
Category:
Threat Severity:
Low
Threat Vector:
Email spam
Published:
17 December 2018 12:00 AM
Report a cyber attack: call 0300 303 5222 or email [email protected]

This content has been archived

This article no longer conforms to NHS Digital's standards for cyber alerts, and may contain outdated or inaccurate information. Use of this information contained in this page is at your own risk

Summary

Organisations worldwide, including the UK have reported receiving hoax spam emails containing bomb threats.

Threat details

Emails attempting to scare users into sending Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies have been common throughout 2018. The hoaxes are a similar example of social engineering that seeks to exploit users' fears by claiming an explosive device will be detonated if a ransom is not paid.

The emails have led to evacuations at some organisations who have received them.

Remediation

Information on how to identify spam emails and what to do with them can be found here:

Guidance from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) can be found

Remediation steps

Type Step

Information on how to identify spam emails and what to do with them can be found here:

Guidance from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) can be found here:

NaCTSO advises that no matter how ridiculous or implausible a bomb threat may seem, all such communications are a crime and should be reported to the police.

Last edited: 11 January 2022 9:37 am