Spam emails from myself?

bigmuffins

Hi
I need some help please:
Before we start - all I know about computers is how to type and access a few applications ..... so please be gentle with me!

My laptop 'died' last week - wouldn't start windows and came up with message that couldn't start and to start in various modes or last known safe configuration. I clicked on that and it went off and got blank screen...
Tried again a couple of times with same result but then went into your hard disk needs checking screen and then after checking went to blank screen.
Repeated a couple of times again but nothing so thought it was terminal!
A few days later my daughter turned on computer and it started ok!
Thought oh well maybe it didn't feel well....
But noticed for the past couple of days that I have been getting spam emails from myself to myself - which I definitely have not sent!

Links to well dodgy looking sites and rather unpleasant text ... I hope my friends and family haven't been getting them :eek: from 'me'!
I changed my password on email account but still got one today!
Can anyone help me please? I assume I have some kind of virus but how do I get rid of it?

aerostar

Why have you not got an antivirus program that is kept up to date ?

It is possible that the spammers just happen to be using your email address as the from identity, it does not necessarily mean you are actually sending them. This is quite a standard practice for spammers.

You need to download or do an online scan of your computer, just put into google online virus scan

Trend micro comes to mind as one.

also go to malwarebytes.com and download their program and run it.

aliEnRIK

Download MALWAREBYTES
http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html
UPDATE and FULL SCAN

post the log here AFTER youve deleted them

We can take from there

Although it SAYS the email from you, it probably isnt (Though im unsure as yet)

bigmuffins

Thanks!
OH normally looks after computer stuff but is not around at mo.
I just use it! Never download stuff or click on anything am not sure about or spam emails as am worry about infecting computer with something! Don't do email banking for same reason!

Only use email and word processing really tbh!
I don't know how to post logs? sorry!
Is it urgent or should I wait for OH to sort it as haven't a clue what I am doing!
Just don't want friends/family thinking I am sending dodgy stuff!

aliEnRIK

if you dont need to use the computer right now ~
I would suggest changing the email password (just to be on the safe side), and wait for ur other half

Spork

I wouldn't worry about it particularly - I suspect it's what aerostar has suggested. I get spam emails from 'myself' all the time. Spammers never mail from their real addresses, they always use someone else's, or a made-up email address. I don't think it means someone has access to your email.

But keep your virus/malware software up-to-date, definitely.

ormus

dont worry too much. i got one yesterday. (viagra!)
spammers just make em up. it doesnt really come from yourself.

bigmuffins

I have changed my email password into a very long one with numbers - but am bit wary cos last time i changed email password (on prev account that i had had for about 10years!) i promptly forgot it and haven't been able to access it since! :doh:
so am bit apprehensive now!
yeah - i shouldn't be allowed out on my own.... I put it down to senility!

anyway the reason i was worrying was because i got another email from 'me' since i changed password! thought maybe they had access to my computer somehow to know what new password was!
also had some emails supposedly from MSN saying i had signed up for them but i definitely have not! didn't read more just deleted those along with the daily 8-10 spam emails about viagra i seem to get!

OH will rant on about leaving computer on etc when he gets back but as long as it is fixable i can wait!

Thanks for your reassurances! :beer:

Edinburghlass_2

I've had stacks of them in the past few days all with MSN on them. I'm now checking my email via the ISP website and reporting them all as spam there.

tmm_aka_tracy

Hi Everyone....

In a small way, I'm glad that you are also having the same problem as me, although deep down, Its very worrying for us all, and so very very annoying.

I use a works laptop, and my email is a works email, only accessable when I'm networked or using a VPN. This weekend alone I've had around 30 emails from me, with stupid titles such as; somebody has sent us your picture, Michelle Obama in the Nude..... blah blah. They all contain adverts for vigra etc.

We have enforced security patches from work, and the laptop will not accept any downloads from the internet for virus checkers etc. I've been on to our IT guys but they dont seem to have stopped it happening (in fact it has got worse).

The strangest thing of all is that if you reply to the email (I tried it once), the reply comes back to me...... I have an option to block the email address, but there are times when I need to forward emails or copy myself in (so that it is available on the blackberry).

I also have not signed up to MSN as it is blocked by the works software settings.

Please can somebody help?????

thanks

Tracy

free4440273

I get spam email from 'myself' also from my yahoo account (it automatically goes straight into spam box, and frighteningly has my exact same 'genuine' email addy:eek: Quite bizarre.