"Have I been hacked?" Topic

I'm now receiving hundreds of 'bounced' emails from people I never mailed. This started today in a big way. When I check the mails they have apparently from someone @ modartis dot com (which is my site).

Does this mean someone has managed to hack me? or are they just using sendmail MAIL FROM: blah blah to fake mail from my address for some reason?

A while ago I got a bounce from one chap because the mailer daemon on his site said that a lot of spam mail came from my site. The penny drops!

So annoying! I hope this doesn't stop me using my mail address.

…are they just using sendmail MAIL FROM: blah blah to fake mail from my address for some reason?

Yes

Change the password.

Ask your friends if they're getting email from you with the same subject line.

Make sure your service packs, updates, and virus protection are all up to date.

Check the times on the bounces – did they originate only from dates and times your computer was powered up and online? Or do any come from times you are sure your computer was turned off?

If the emails appear to have originated *only* when your computer is on, there could be a trojan using your computer to generate spam. This is pretty common.

If the emails appear to originate at *any* times you know your computer to have been off, someone is either spoofing you or has actually gained access to your account.

Most ISPs have two way security now, but email is pretty insecure by its nature. You should ask your hosting service what might be happening.

Good luck!

Andrew