QUESTION:

I am getting error messages for email that I never sent. Am I infected with a virus?

POSSIBLE SOLUTION(S):

Your email address was most likely "spoofed" as the sender of email that you did not send and you are probably not infected with a virus. In most cases this is due to someone else's computer being infected with a worm or virus which scavenged their email address book and selected your email address at random, or even created an email address the same as yours, as the "From" address to send additional copies of itself to other users on the Internet. This technique is a common trend with the most recent worms and viruses to disguise their true source and to create confusion.

When this virus is detected or blocked by a remote mail system, or even when the message is sent to an invalid email address, the error is returned to the spoofed "From" email address. Since this is a legitimate bounce message from the remote mail system, there is not much that can be done and the best advice is to simply delete these messages and any simliar ones that you may receive in the future.

However, it is highly recommended that you have anti-virus software installed, that your virus definitions are up-to-date, and that you scan your computer as soon as possible to assure that you are not possibly infected with a virus. Also, if you use Microsoft Windows, make sure that you have all the latest critical security patches and Windows updates installed by visiting the Windows Update web site.

   Microsoft Windows Update

We have also compiled a page with other tips and recommendations that you may find useful.

   Recommendations for a Better Online Experience

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