Possible breach of my msn email account?

From: sblakeman (sblakeman_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 01/29/05

  • Next message: Massimo: "Re: Security hole in file sharing (bug?)" 
    Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 14:13:01 -0800

    When I checked my MSN email account this morning, I noticed some strange
    emails. First of all, the junk mail filter usually does a more than adequate
    job of screening all offensive email, but one, subject line "Is this your
    porn pic?", or along those lines, made it in my inbox. I deleted the
    message, but I think it might be related to other strange activity. I also
    noticed I had significantly more emails in my junk box than a normal day (I
    check and delete its contents everyday). Also in my main inbox were two
    emails from Symantec_Antivirus_for_SMTP_Gateways@absq.net, subject line
    "Content Violation", which stated there were content violations in an email
    message from me to a couple of email addresses that I've never written to in
    my life. They also had the phrase "File(s):bill_regards.txt.pif" in the text
    of the email. The addresses are not in my inbox, anything. I use dial up,
    so my computer was not connected to the internet when this activity was going
    on (the afternoon of Jan 28th), so I don't think it can be due to some
    malicious software on my machine. I immediately updated my Norton Antivirus
    software, and scanned my entire machine, and it returned no viruses, but
    recommended deleting one "high risk" file that contained adware. I'm also
    actively using MSN's beta anti-spyware. Checking my inbox about 4 hours
    later, it appears no other strange activity has happened. How else might my
    email account have been compromised and what can I do about it? Is my email
    account safe with MSN?

  • Next message: Massimo: "Re: Security hole in file sharing (bug?)"

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