Warning plus Urgent/serious advice/help needed re: some sort of spamming

bugeyed

To try to help with your concerns.

Most likely you have picked up a trojan. Many sites get hacked and trojans added, without the webmaster being aware. BBC, CNN and MSN have all been targeted over the years, so it isn't surprising to see 'help !' emails such as this.

It is very likely you have a trojan that reads your email address book and sends it to the scum who wrote it. He then sells it on to various companies who can spam people saying you recommended them or even pretend (by editing the mail header) that you sent it to them. There is very little you can do about the damage done. Please ensure you install a really good security program. Either one of the ones already mentioned or go buy one. Its a vital investment these days.

The worry about whether they can access your computer would depend on what security measures you have in place already. If you access your internet via a modern broadband router it is likely you won't get hacked into (i.e someone can just see everything on your pc) due to the router likely having a built in firewall, but you should ensure that until you install some anti virus AND anti spyware/malware software, that you avoid entering credit card details or log into bank accounts just in case you have a keylogger installed by the same method you acquired the likely trojan. Get the software and run the scans. Visit some security sites and read up on how to protect yourself in future. http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/security-software/


I hope this helps

MARTINS_DOLL

Scarey stuff Bugeyed... I'm not too well up on a lot of this, although I've heard of some of the things you mentioned.

Thanks for the post... :beer:

[Deleted User]

spywareblaster is also a good (free)programme to have,can be used along with all the others memtioned above,the only thing you shouldnt use 2 of is firewalls

bugeyed

OK

My apologies for posting more here (in the freebies forum) as I am aware this isn't the forum that this post belongs. All other users with technical dificulties should post in the techie forum http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=29
But as this is here already I will post this here in the hope it can be moved to the correct forum.

From researching trailblazer917, it appears you have malware on your pc which targets MSN. The following removal method is one of many that you can follow, but this seems to be the most popular. I have obtained this from bleepingcomputer.com forums and the credit is theirs.

Before following the instructions it is advisory to turn off system restore as any infection will also be held there. Also ensure that the recycle bn is empty before and after. System restore is turned off by right clicking 'my computer' which is either on your desktop screen or in the 'Start' menu (button bottom left of desktop). When operation is complete turn system restore back on.

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from bleepingcomputer.com techie forum

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Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
http://www.besttechie.net/tools/mbam-setup.exe and save it to your desktop. Do Run from normal mode.
alternate download link 1 http://malwarebytes.gt500.org/mbam-setup.exe
alternate download link 2 http://www.majorgeeks.com/Malwarebytes_Ant...ware_d5756.html
Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
Double-click on Download_mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
When the installation begins, follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
When installation has finished, make sure you leave both of these checked:
Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Then click Finish.
MBAM will automatically start and you will be asked to update the program before performing a scan. If an update is found, the program will automatically update itself. Press the OK button to close that box and continue. If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download them from here and just double-click on mbam-rules.exe to install.
On the Scanner tab:
Make sure the "Perform Quick Scan" option is selected.
Then click on the Scan button.
If asked to select the drives to scan, leave all the drives selected and click on the Start Scan button.
The scan will begin and "Scan in progress" will show at the top. It may take some time to complete so please be patient.
When the scan is finished, a message box will say "The scan completed successfully. Click 'Show Results' to display all objects found".
Click OK to close the message box and continue with the removal process.
Back at the main Scanner screen, click on the Show Results button to see a list of any malware that was found.
Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
When removal is completed, a log report will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to restart your computer. (see Note below)
The log is automatically saved and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
Copy and paste the contents of that report in your next reply and exit MBAM.
Note: If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts. Click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately. Failure to reboot will prevent MBAM from removing all the malware.

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End of advice ---- Please turn system restore back on after ensuring recycle bin is empty

If no malware is found then please visit the techie forum mentioned earlier and try using another antispyware or antimalware program. If after 3 or 4 recommended programs, no malware is found, then it is likely that you had a self deleting trojan which has gone, but absolutely ensure that you instal some good antivirus.

Best wishes

Bugeyed

swannee_D_3

I had something similar to this..an email entitled "dear friend" went to all my contacts in hotmail, happened a couple of times until I changed my pass word,

have you ever signed up to one of those sites that tell you who has blocked you from hotmail etc apparently this is the site it originates from hth

MARTINS_DOLL

Bugeyed, You are a very valued forum member... :beer:

Many thanks for your posts tonight... :T

Pip26

Thanks so much for all replies!!!!!

buzby_boy

To avoid this happening again when you forward a funny email (for example)to a bulk of people in your contacts list always BCC the people in. You have to have one address showing but BCC the rest in. This will stop the spammers seeing all the address' you have sent the email to. Also if you notice someone has forwarded the email onto you and you can see lots of address' delete them out before sending

Pip26

Just for anyone who needs to know to keep an eye open, the virus (or the original one anyway) seemed to have crept in somehow from 'adware-coupon' and seems to be being passed on through -'trailblazer' links.

Very, very many thanks to all who replied to help - thankyou!