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General discussion

Someone is sending out mail with my hotmail addy.

Dec 26, 2005 12:18PM PST

A few days ago, I went onto my Hotmail account and found 4 returned emails from AOL addresses. This would be fine if I sent them. These emails were all sent back by MAILER-DAEMON@aol.com. I know that I didn't send these emails out to begin with, because (1) I didn't recognize the email addresses, and (2) I had not sent out any emails from my hotmail account in months, I just read the CNET news alerts, and other mailings. I tried to locate a Hotmail email or phone number to contact Hotmail of this problem, but don't know where I can find it. Can anyone help me stop this rouge user from using my address name on these mailings, or know how to contact Hotmail to discuss my problem with them? Thanks.
Tom

Discussion is locked

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Tom, It's Common...'Spoofing'
Dec 26, 2005 12:31PM PST

Many viruses have the ability to find e-mail addresses ANYWHERE on an infected machine and place that e-mail address in the "From" line of the infected messages it sends out..As a result, the mail appears like it's coming from you but in fact came from an infected machine somewhere else. Your e-mail address IS somewhere on an infected machine and it might not even be one of your regular e-mail receivers..If ANYONE forwarded one of your mail messages, then your address may have been placed on that infected computer.

If the infected mail is detected by an ISP as an infected message, or if the "To" address is invalid, then it will be blocked and you will receive the return message.

Contacting Hotmail will accomplish little. The problem is bad enough that ISP's have little control over the situation..I know of some individuals that had to change their e-mail addresses when the problem go bad enough..

Your best bet is to simply delete the messages immediately upon receiving them..

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Thanks Grif
Dec 28, 2005 9:18AM PST

Thanks Grif,
I thought I was spoofed, but I didn't know that it could be from someone else?s infected computer. I guess I can stop looking for the virus on my computer then. It looks as though I will have to close out this e-mail addy too, and create a new one then. Too bad, because this was my first Addy I ever had online, and my son helped me to create it over 5 years ago. LOL I am glad that I can create my own now, even though my son just reached his 18th Birthday. Playing with the computer helps one learn how to use the different programs and functions. Thanks again Grif, and Happy & Safe New Years to all.
Tom

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Tom
Dec 28, 2005 10:19PM PST

I wouldn't change my address for that small a problem. I have had spurts of such emails, but i just delete as Grif recommended and keep on. Unless you get totally inundated with these I would just keep on trucking.

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I'd change my Hotmail password to be safe
Dec 28, 2005 9:49AM PST

Hi Tapman,

Just to be extra safe, I'd change my password on the Hotmail account it only takes a couple seconds to do!!

Steve