E-mail Hacked Question

**StartingOver** · 04-06-2010, 04:10 PM

I know there are several of you out there that are very computer savy.

My dh's e-mail account, I believe, has been hacked. All his contacts are getting some very strange e-mails from him.

I'm not sure how to stop this. Do I just close out the old one and open a new one with new username and password. And how do you delete the old one.

Thanks!

**Kitten20** · 04-06-2010, 04:16 PM

It could also be a virus. Try running a scan.

**IntlMom** · 04-06-2010, 04:16 PM

before you do that - try changing the password first.

this happened to me on email and facebook - I changed all the passwords and the problem stopped

good luck

**IntlMom** · 04-06-2010, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by Kitten20

It could also be a virus. Try running a scan.

also true.......

**Linus** · 04-06-2010, 05:16 PM

There are a variety of possible causes of this:

- compromised system
- virus
- malware (spyware)

I would recommend a combination of both. If you already have anti-virus software in place, it may not detect it. It would be worthwhile to do a system scan while the computer is in "Safe Mode" (reboot the system and press F8 just after the BIOS appears --- usually will say Phoenix or Award). You'll get a listing of choices to boot into --> choose Safe Mode and do a thorough scan (this can take a few hours).

You also can do a free online scan from Trendmicro by going to http://home.trendmicro.com

Ensure the password is complex (uppercase letters, lower case letters, numbers and special characters) and not less than 8 characters. Change the password regularly (every 3-6 months would be a good start). Do not use the same password everywhere (especially in regards to banks and credit card sensitive info).

**Gabe** · 04-06-2010, 07:19 PM

I am not a microsoft fan. But they have a pretty good antivirus that is free.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

Give that a try. See if it comes up with anything.

**Gabe** · 04-06-2010, 07:37 PM

And of course what Linus said.

**Luckybustert** · 04-07-2010, 03:38 PM

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is also very good. It found a keylogger on my computer that other scans missed. You can download the free version at their site.

Once you get this issue cleared up, be sure to keep your anti-virus and anti-malware software up-to-date and DO NOT click on any links or attachments received from unknown sources, or you risk getting your computer infected again.