Need A computer genius...MAYDAY!!!

[Phillyfisherman]

Deep

Yes...they can from driving by. But it is more likely they "got" you from an email which was previewed or opened. There are numerous ways if someone wants to screw with you...they will and can. It is not always from someone piggybacking your account...it could be that they wrote a scam to propagate from a friend (someone you are familiar with via email)...let me ask, how many forwarded emails do you get & open from "friends or family members"?

I have informed my computer challenged family members that no forwarded emails will be opened...straight to the trash bin! When I told them how many fw emails I get from them, they had no idea and of course, were consumed with viruses & $hit to say the least.

If you want the best antivirus available, which includes a fantastic firewall (I have never had any problems and have cleaned up more computers using their service), go to eAcceleration (www.stop-sign.com). Best of the best...these guys are on top of it and stay on top of it. For $60 bucks +/- you get a lifetime of service. I use it on all Windows-based computers. It does not support mac (which I use for my personal items)...but with mac, the attacks & issues are nil compaired to Windows (the bad guys focus most their efforts going after Windows and the American business sector...that is why you'll find most the issues coming from Muslum countries...they teach classes on how to attack & crush americans computer intellegence...no shit).

Galazio:

Thanks for the info. My Symantec anti-virus expires 10/5. I am going to subscribe to this service based on your recommendation. While I do not log on my home PC all that often, I want the best of the best protecting it.

[BrothaBob]

Now, I don't know anyone who would do a drive by with a laptop to catch some free internet in a time of need......like being oncall and on the road.... ........

Anyway....this person could have gotten your information as well as the name of your SMTP server and just sent mail directly to it. This would eliminate the need for anything on your side of the wire.

Also, make sure you are using the most currently SpyBots Search and Destroy as well as a good virus scan. Norton and McAfee both work fine and both will alert you if mail is going out in mass from your workstation. It will also stop it from doing so unless you manually say it is ok.

Another thing that can happen is a virus / spyware could have installed an SMTP service on your workstation and is using your workstation as a sending point to distribute mail. I have seen this happen before. Check to see if a service on your computer is labeled SMTP somewhere and is probably set to automatic. If it is......feel free to give me a call and I can walk you through some steps to see if you have a problem........610 299 7037