Hacker’s threat: Pay $857 in Bitcoin or your ‘secret life’ goes public

A nameless, faceless hacker is extorting you. Pay $857 in Bitcoin or videos and screenshots from your “dark secret life” — plus the browsing history on your phone, tablet and computer — will be shared with family, friends and the world.

“You are not my only victim,” the hacker writes. “I usually lock devices and ask for a ransom. But I was struck by the sites of intimate content that you very often visit.”

Several near identical versions of this “phishing” email have been sent out to hundreds of thousands of people in North America over the last few months.

Known by cybersecurity experts as “spray-and-pray” attacks, they are ultimately empty (just don’t click on any attached links) but surprisingly successful threats, say security consultants and police. On Monday, Peel police released a warning to the public about these and other scams.

To make your heart race faster, this wannabe extortionist — he or she identifies as a “programmer” — includes what…