Need help! my accounts are being tampered with

I am not a computer wiz here, Im not sure if all members here are techs but, I am wondering how I can track down who could be invading my email accounts and either intercepting email, deleting them or re routing them to another account? I have this supiscion because on several "freind ship" sites I had a few emails either asking if I had gotten any emails, why are you ignoring me, or stuff like why I deleted them from a freinds list of mine.... whats going on? This is frustrating. Can anyone help in tracking them down , or at least, help me prevent them?

Try changing your passwords...and dont tell anyone them

That should stop it.

As for how to find out...do other people use your computer??

Do you have spam filtering on??

Is this a web based mail...such as hotmail\yahoo..etc

or do you download the mail to your computer.

I have one account where the mail is deleted after 30 days or so if not downloaded

MLF

How about checking for any spam filters. "friendship" sites could be picked up as spam in most filters, so Id start there rather than freaking out about who is looking at your stuff. Also, change your password if you are worried. Maybe scan for virii and malware. housecall.trendmicro.com offers a great online scanner. and programs like adaware are free and do a great job. so Id start with the basics first instead of assuming somone is out to get you.


EDIT*** looks like MLF beat me to this one by a minute lol.

Some more 'specific' details might help....

Don't post email addresses, IP addresses, usernames or passwords, (if you feel it is pertinent change them but indicate where you changed the information for privacy reasons).

What email system is it, hotmail, msn, yahoo or is it a more "private system" would be a good start.

Well, me and my significant other have been getting into fights lately, we both use the computer. We arent together but she sweears up and down she doesnt get into them. But if so, how would I be able to see?

Er... a million ways.... It's pretty hard to help when you won't be a little more _specific_.

But then again... She had physical access to the box didn't she? Oh well... Nothing much we can do to help... She owns it and you can't/won't offer information we would need to help you....

Is that you, _again_ Rain?

Quote:

---

Is that you, _again_ Rain?

---

ROTFLMAO

Thanks ...I needed that :)

MLF

Quote:

---

You must spread your AntiPoints around before giving it to Tiger Shark again.

---

If you and your SO are no longer together : CHANGE YOUR PASSWORDS.

take the advice as given so far, and just run some security tools across your box.
If you are new to this, then the following link might help.
A guide to cleaning

It is rarely the worst case scenario that has happened.
Just try to post details as requested, with details edited :
ie: [email protected] to [email protected] to hide any mail addresses.
Any more info required, just ask.

Pax

That would be:-

A guide to cleaning

Sorry TS .........
Jeez, TWO minutes :)

I'm fast.... My sweetie told me... ;)

lol - man I love this place.

Hmmmm,

As there has been physical access, you have to accept the possibility that you have a backdoor, keylogger, and/or some serious spyware on your box.

In that case changing your passwords won't do much for you.

HOWEVER, if you do change your passwords and have the same problem, you will know that there is something of that sort on your box.........so it is a test in itself.

Where there has been physical access I generally go for the "textbook" solution........reformat and reinstall the operating system.

At this stage I would recommend changing the passwords and letting the case develop.

Good luck.

Quote:

---

I am wondering how I can track down who could be invading my email accounts and either intercepting email, deleting them or re routing them to another account?

---

Is this a free email service site such as gmail,hotmail, yahoo? or is it from your ISP. Either way what I would recommend is canceling the email account and reopen a whole new one. If you do have malicious code on your PC changing the password wont do anything for this. If you close the account and create a new one you might be in good shape. Also, double check to make sure you don't have your e-mail set to forward email to an different e-mail address. Are you running any e-mail clients?

Computernerd22

There are some problems with what you are suggesting.............DO NOT CLOSE the accounts....they are the "bait" and if they suddenly drop off the radar the attacker knows to look elsewhere. The secret is to keep them guessing?........has he opened a new account and is using a library, internet cafe, a laptop?.................... ;)

If he has a backdoor, keylogger and spyware then opening a new account will not work........the attacker will know about it.

Change the passwords and see if the problem comes back, or is still there.........that should tell you if you have malware on the machine.

And as for the "password reminder"................your mother's maiden name was "ghengis khan" and your first schoolteacher's name was George W Bush and your favourite sport is serial killing. I think you get the picture.........if you use the correct answer, chances are that your SO will know it as well?

:eek:

Nihil:

Errr.... If there's a keylogger there practically _none_ of the advice in this thread would work.... ;)

Though I do agree with leaving the account and changing the password to see if the problem remains.... Outside of that the OP needs to use a different box to do anything. If it's a keylogger they are looking at all this wonderful advice and giggling.... ;)

Hi Tiger~

My point exactly....................I am assuming the OP would notice any "dongles" or new keyboards (pretty expensive over here) so I am suspecting a software device if any.

Quote:

---

Where there has been physical access I generally go for the "textbook" solution........reformat and reinstall the operating system.

---

That should work?.........from my earlier post.

Cheers :D

I love/hate the reformat/reinstall option.... It means the "crap" beat me.... :mad:

OTOH, sometimes it is hard enough to "beat" the crap when you are sat at the box.... Once you try doing it remotely, (remote access needing a restart to safe mode, phone, email, BBS, etc.), it becomes _so_ much harder because the remote user has to be trusted to do _exactly_ what you tell them to do... and we both know that the odds of that are as good as picking the winner of the Grand National three years in succession... ;)

While I hate using the reformat/reinstall option it's often the best option when we communicate in this medium.....

BTW... That late bottled Port sounds like fun... Know of anywhere I can get some online.... These Yanks still think a port is a place where you park boats.... :rolleyes:

Any specific year ?...

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&cl...G=Search&meta=
Google Search: late bottled Port

Hi Eg~ 1999 or before............the more previous the better :D :drink:

Yes Tiger~ I hear where you are coming from:

Quote:

---

I love/hate the reformat/reinstall option.... It means the "crap" beat me

---

Unfortunately, it is sometimes the cheapest and quickest solution. On our own kit or at our place of work we need to know what happened.........................otherwise we just fix it?

Cheers

Egal:

Thanks... But thats a lot to look through to find the one Nihil is currently "pickled" on.... ;)

I was kinda hoping for a direct link....

Ever had a good Port? Or even a bad one, with good strong coffee and a cigar after a really good meal..... I'll tell you now, if you haven't, it's one of life's _true_ pleasures..... I even converted my sweetie to it... She never had Port before we met, (it's that "ship" thing I think...), now she's ejumacated proper like what I am..... :D