If someone accessed their mail from my computer and opened a "phished" mail, will that cause problems at PC?

Question

I have a "guest" staying with me and she accesses all her bulk mail from my computer...She opens "everything" and responds to most everything. Also she has 1077 junk mails saved. My computer is "freezing" and doing all sorts of weird stuff. Also my accounts on myspace are being "phished" alot.. Would her opening this junk mail cause these problems?

Answer 1

Yes, It can cause big problems !

There is a way to keep your computer from opening e-mails unless you click Show HTML graphics at the bottom of each e-mail.

To set this up click Options then Spam Protection on your e-mail page. Click on radio button at Block all images until I've had a chance to look it over. Also, do not open Attachments that are suspicious.

Change your passwords and don't use Windows Messenger for now until you can get things cleaned up. In fact, close all programs in Task Bar and Task Tray at bottom right of screen.

Use the Pop-Up Blocker on Yahoo Tool Bar.

http://toolbar.yahoo.com/

Also, turn on the Windows Firewall

http://windows.about.com/od/security/ss/enable_firewall_5.htm

Remove all other anti virus programs from your computer with Add/Remove from START and Control Panel. Click the link below and install AVG Free anti virus software. Have used it for years and it is really good.

http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html

You should not have two anti virus programs on your computer at the same time because they will really mess things up.

Also, on a regular basis click Tools then Internet Options and remove temp. Internet Files and Cookies then run Yahoo Tool Bar Anti-Spy.

Answer 2

It's not necessarily that.

But, first things first. Why would you allow such a person access to your computer system? Love has limits.

The only way that "phished" email is a problem for your computer is if there is a virus contained within the email. The purpose of "phishing" is to fool you into thinking that you are dealing with a trusted correspondent, so that you will reveal personal information that can be used for identity fraud and other crimes.

Aside from that, the first thing you want to do is run your "Disk Cleanup" if your computer starts freezing and stuff. Afterwards, run your "Defragmentation" program. Restart from a cold-boot.

Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Cleanup (or Defrag)

The junk mails have nothing whatever to do with the computer freezing unless one of them was opened that contained a particularly nasty virus which managed to destroy some system files. I doubt it.

You accounts on myspace have nothing to do with this problem, but you do want to learn more about phishing.

Check the Help files within your email program. I'll bet there is a thorough discussion of phishing there.

Answer 3

Well... "phished" stuff often has links that lead you to a site where it'll ask you to input things like account passwords, personal information, etc. They look like the real sites, but they AREN'T. Basically, they also occasionally drop virus "loaders" (they connnect to the internet and download a virus) which will infect your system.
YEAH, doing that WILL MESS UP YOUR COMP. GET HER OFF IT ASAP!

Answer 4

i'm specific I actual have been cursed,i had no issues responded a question approximately it,and that i've got had no longer something yet issues.its consistently the case,the cal;m in the previous the typhoon,with all this up grading etc,its at an all time extreme with secure practices .

Answer 5

so do you understand what phising it? As long as she does not know your info, you cannot be phished.

Answer 6

yes