e-mail problem is killing me

[slimcan]

I cannot believe it-----people are getting mail from me but I never sent the mail. How can this be happing? Random names are used from my address book. All this is happening through my yahoo accountant. Very troubled …………..

[michaels39]

Sounds like someone hijacked your address from someone's address book. Scammers and spammers often find ways to do this,either to private accounts or online sites,and use the addresses to send out mass spam mail. It doesn't necessarily mean your own PC has been compromised,but I'd get a good anti-spyware program and run a check just to be safe.

[slimcan]

I was afraid you may say that---so from now on my business contacts and friends will get junk mail in which it looks like I sent it to them. They may get porn mail and think it’s from me----now that would be embarrassing.

[michaels39]

I'm afraid that's one of the drawbacks to using e-mail. You can have all the protection in the world on your own PC,but if any of your contacts or even your e-mail provider get careless,you can be affected. Short of changing your e-mail address,there's not much you can do.

[Galaxy_EGS]

slimcan,
You should warn your contacts. Describe them the situation and tell them that you suspect your email account has been hijacked so if they received any spam don't think you actually sent it.

Then, find good software to scan your computer for viruses/spyware.
(I use ZoneAlarm Security Suite and have had no problems with malware)

Can you afford to change you email account and notify ALL your contacts?

Also, it would be a good idea to suggests your contacts to scan their computers with the software they can get.

Best wishes
Eduardo García Soñanes

[slimcan]

can not afford to change my email account, after years of work my e-mail is sort of a brand now. But I did get to my contacts and let them know about the problem. So far my contacts have not received much more junk, but for a while they were hit with a torrent of crap.

I can see how this could hurt a good business ................

[frozenstar]

Sorry to hear about that. But have you tried changing password? (if it works)

Scanning your computer is the best thing to do right now I guess.

[slimcan]

Yes I changed the password then about 2 days after it had stopped. Not sure if that was a coincidence or changing the password was a cure. I don’t know how this type of hack (Not sure if hack is the correct word) penetrates into the e mail. Do they take the address book or somehow send it from my e mail.
If someone can take the whole address book then victims are screwed for a long time. Well I hope my dilemma can be used to help others learn something about this type of problem and someday prevent more of this. For now it seems all is well, but I will always take a cautious stance with everything I do from now on.
My scan shown all clean

[Galaxy_EGS]

It's good to read everything is fine now. In fact, changing your passwords on a regular basis has become a must. The bad guys are waiting any opportunity to steal your identity... and your money.

Happy (and malware-free) 2010
Eduardo García Soñanes