I just noticed this afternoon that my Gmail account had been hacked and some A$$hole spammed everyone on my contact list. (1) How did they hack my account? (2) How do I get rid of them? (3) How can I keep this from happening again in the future? The only thing I did so far is notify some friends and family and change my password.
I got an email from myself to my work Email address. That made me go and take a look at my account. Sure enough, somebody got in there and spammed everybody on my contact list. I sure didn't do it! I changed my password asap, and looked up any other IP that is logged on. I didn't get a chance to check it out yet, but I'm sure it is a floating address or a proxy server. If not, the guy is pretty stupid, and I'll be knocking on their door with some fishing line to string up the pathetic bastard by their scrotum. Thanks, UGRev, I just took a look through there and will implement some measures immediatly.
So you actually have outgoing emails in your sent folder? The reason I'm asking is that there are some spammers who spoof the email address to make it looks like it's sent from you. One of my spam catch boxes gets viagra ads 'from' me all the time although they do not actually come from my account.
Gunbunny, did you actually read the Header Information on the eMail, and confirm that the Spamm was sent from your Account, and Server?
Yeah.....that's what I though too.....until I caught my wife sending them as hints. Always look to the near and dear......
Yeah, and it ain't only Viagra. I get them from spammers touting credit scores, cialis, underwear and outerware, furniture, car dealers, insurance companies and lots more, all supposedly sent by me. My ISP tells me it is more than a little common that somewhere along the line, addresses get sold from a less than upright vendor dealt with someplace in the long distant past. Or, if you ever sent a vent to a spammer, that's another way they get you.
People should really refrain from send out mass emails with all email addresses visible. That opens up all of those email addresses for possible spam. The correct etiquette when sending/forwarding a joke or otherwise enlightening email typed in #24 font is to always use BCC.
Oh yeah, they were in my sent mailbox. Some of my friends called me and asked me why I sent them a link to a Canadian pharmacy. Not me, I tells 'em! I never sent an email to more then three people in my life. I hate forwarding stupid little stuff and abhor chainmails.
