So I got an email from my cousin who hasn't had internet for a year or so and I open it up and now everyone in my address book including me is getting spam ads for viagra and crap like that. This is not the email I use for most things anymore but mainly is the one I give out when ordering online or sending for info so I don't get spam on my regular email. Unfortunately it used to be my main email so the address book had practically everyone I know in it. Any way to turn it off or remove it permanently?
Actually it usualy is that easy, for that specific problem. People set up computers-often using powerful gaming graffics cards that are able to be reprogrammed to run email password combonations-to crack email passwords just so they can send spam emails. It's all done with software, nobody is hovering over their computer sending emails from your account. If you change your password the computers will have to start running literally millions of password combos to crack your password again. It's happened to me and all I did was change my password.
What do you use for mail? Outlook? Might have a Trojan installed then and even if change password it'll still send spam. Do a malware and virus scan. x
I had the EXACT SAME THING happen to me 6 months ago. Changed the password and it never happened again. Go DL Microsoft Security Essentials from the update page if you don't already have it.
Also... if for some reason you were using that username and password on any other site (netflix, wow, bank etc.. etc...) change them too and then don't ever use the same combo again on multiple sites. Hackers have automated tools that will try your combo on other sites. Even if you were using another password... if they have your email they can reset PWs on some sites... intercept your new passwords from your email (and if they are tricky delete them so you don't know it) A lot of AV products will have settings to prevent mass mailing.
