how do i stop spam being sent from my email address?

That problem is not caused by any type of virus or adware on your computer. At some point someone obtained your ID and password and took all your contacts. From that point on they do not need your account. Anyone with a separate email program can use any address as the FROM address. Spammers use your list and your name so people will read the spam. There is no way to stop it at this point. Change your password to keep it from happening again.

You can also run a spyware program and see what it finds but I really doubt that it will find anything.

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You don't. Spam emails are a fact and annoyance of live. Similar to junk mail in the mail box. You can try to stop it, but that is a war you won't win. Never open any email that is obviously spam, never try to 'unsubscribe' from any email you did not personally sign up for. Just use your spam filter and your delete button.

Sounds like your E-mail account has been compromised, or you picked up a virus.

Immediately have your computer checked for a 'bug' or 'bugs.' If you have the proper programs, do the scans yourself, if not you need to take your computer to some one who can.

Once it is clean of pests, install a firewall and an anti-virus program if you do not have one yet.

I strongly recommend a program for malware and adware also.

After you finish this, then go in and change your password, using a good strong one.

Also, check your account information and make sure no information was changed, if it was change it back immediately.

Then, you will have to inform your contacts that it was not you sending that mail, but they need to check their computers in case they were also infected.