Email Spam Question?

Question

I get a lot of spam in my email, as I am sure everyone does. What perplexes me is that I get the same email from quite a few different inidividuals and the names are eerily similar to the names in my address book or similar to people that I have emailed recently. In addition, the "subject" is similar to recent emails that I have sent. I wonder if these spamers have gained access to my outgoing emails. Does anyone have any knowledge on this? I can not block these emails because they are always different names and different servers.

Any information would be appreciated. I'd love to block them but I don't have a solution.

Thanks so much for your answers.

I already have the spam blocker on "High" and I do always run a spyware program and anti-virus program.

Answer 1

Many hours are wasted due to spam email. However, by taking simple precautions while giving out your email and installing updated free software, you can prevent spam. More info available at
http://fixit.in/stopspam.html

Answer 2

Here is a good solution. Create a second email address for your closest friends and family, and ensure that they never forward those cute you must see this emails to that address. Strictly private - never used for business ever. Make sure that you receive only in plain text and not HTML.
Then go to your old email and switch off the images - that will stop most spam. Spammers use images - it's the best way to sell anything. Use this account for your business needs only. The longer that account stays dormant or slow the less the spammers will pick up on it.

That will help a lot - have a good one.

Answer 3

http://www.acma.gov.au/ACMAINTER.2490560:STANDARD::pc=PC_2814
If you go to the above you will find this site very interesting. I use it all the time because of the nature of the spams that I receive. Most come from the USA and it looks like the address is 'shared' around. Currently I have about 36 in the SPAM block on Yahoo. It's such a waste of time handling these things. And don't "unsubscribe" this just make them worse. DELETE or Spam them or sent them to the above and maybe we will be able to get something done.
Have a great day, and great surfing!

Answer 4

If SPAM lands in your inbox, just check the boxes to the left of sender and then click the SPAM button. They will then be blocked.

If they go into your bulk folder, set your options to display about 25 messages at a time. This way you can quickly look down the list of senders and, if no one is there by mistake, click the "check all" button, then click delete. Gone with 2 clicks.

Answer 5

You may have a virus or worm, acting as a spambot. Your system could be silently sending out tons of spam to OTHER people too!

Scan your system with a good antivirus scanner, with the latest virus definitions.

Also, if you use POP mail from your ISP, get: http://www.spampal.org/

Answer 6

it may be you have an old trojan, accessing your address book. would get some online scans. blocking depends on if your e-mail is web based or not. outlook does have some options. as do yahoo and hotmail. or if not web based, call your isp and change your addy. but scan first.

Answer 7

just increase the spam level.