I am getting emails from friends etc, asking why I have been sending them emails with no more than a link to a website.

There is no way I am doing this nor would I ever do it.

It seems that my email address could have been compromised by some imbecilic moron.

My PC protection is Windows Security Essentials Anti Virus program, the Windows Firewall & Lavasoft's free Ad-Aware program.

If my email address has been hijacked can anyone please offer any suggestions about what I can do about it?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Cy
(Poseidon)

Firstly change your password AND security question, just to be on the safe side.

While your actual account maybe safe, this might well be a case of someone spoofing the from address to your contacts..

While you PC may well be protected that doesn't mean access to your e-mail account is, unless you run your own e-mail server.

There are common virus that your computer will get and it will send out links ( normally infected) to everyone in your email file.

You will need to do a good cleaning of it, or may have to take it to a professional to have it cleaned.

This is very common, My friend a Bishop was sending out sex links for a few weeks once, Another was sending out adverizement.

What makes it worst is most likely anyone who opens any of those links, will also get the same virus.

Thanks again Curlyben. I gave my PC a good clean & downloaded a couple of free programs & ran them for malware & spyware. I found that I had quite a few problems, none of which were picked up by my Adaware scan.

I found Super Anti Spyware was very good & since running it I have had no more problems (touch wood)..

I have also acted on your other suggestions.

Thanks again as I always trust your advice along with Scottgem's.

Cy
(Poseidon)

Thank you Fr Chuck.

I did give my system a good clean & ran a couple of new anti spyware & malware programs & found Super Anti Spyware extremely good.

Since running this program & changing my personal detail in my email account touch wood I seem to have solved the problem.