My email just spammed everyone in my contact list. How did that happen?

First: Opening a spam message can create a ton of problems and collect your contact(s) and send them spam messages as well.

Spammer(s), trying to hi-jack your email address to spam all your contacts and then use the account to spam others.

Yahoo and all email companies, all companies in the entire world will NEVER ask for your password, pin or date of birth. No Exceptions Ever.

Ignore and delete that email and any others demanding such information. DELETE ANYTHING From anyone, YOU DO NOT KNOW, DELETE THEM NOW.

REMOVE YOUR CURRECT PASSWORD AND CHANGE first if you ever thing you have been compromised.

Most email issues are with the Browsers so try using another browser or if using windows try the following steps.

HOW TO CLEAN UP THE BROWSER:

Type Shift-CTRL and DEL at the same time and the Delete Browsing History box will open. Check all boxes but leave the top box unchecked. and on the bottom hit the Delete key. That should remove most Browsers problems.

Now to clean your computer we have three areas to do:

HOW TO REMOVE OLD FILES, HISTORY AND JUNK FROM INTERNET SURFING:

Next on START, All Programs, click on first directory ACCESSORIES, look for SYSTEMS TOOLS and click on DIsk CLEAN UP, check all boxes and this will remove a lot of junk errors and files in the COMPUTER, but not all. Now this only cleans where you have been surfing the internet. You should perform this a few times until you are only seeing all “0”.

HOW TO CLEAN UP THE COMPUTERS HARD DRIVE:

Part 3 Now return to step SYSTEM TOOLS Part 2 but after "system tools" click on DESK De fragmenter, Set up a schedules if you like. Here is a bit of understanding of what is going on, I have more detail below for you to understand why.

Here is what is happening with your HARD DRIVE.

You're Hard Disk is spinning at high speed and as files are loaded and end up anywhere on the hard drive with no true order. Think of it like a book case with books everywhere on the case, that is your Hard Drive with files. This creates a big problem as it becomes harder for the computer to find what you need. The Computer is trying to read/work the hard disk most but it is slow because it is searching. Now were going to clean and fix running errors, which are created over time. By De-fragmentation puts them into order on the Hard Drive as it closes the gap between free open space (BOOKS).. This will put all the books back in order A through Z. Now all of the books are on just one Shelf. Clearning the other three lower shelfs, for faster operation and providing more memory space for your computer to operate. Memory is like having more elbow room to work.

Now you may need to run defragmenter about (SIX- 6 times or more to clean all errors) The computer needs a to clean-up or workout once a week. By running it a few times a Month, it has time to find and clean up errors, history, cookies and bad files. Once complete reset by rebooting the hard drive.

The computer needs free memory to work faster.

Enjoy A good virus program which everyone should have. I like the new Norton 2012.

I do not work for YAHOO so 10 ponits would be a nice think you

Yahoo email is where you can forward such scam emails. simply delete the scam mail.Always DELETE mail you have no idea who sent it:

EDIT: One way you can report that email is by using this form:

http://help.yahoo.com/kb/index?page=cont%E2%80%A6

http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/answers%E2%80%A6

If you have any difficulties with that form, try this one:

http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/mail/ym%E2%80%A6

Sounds like you picked up a virus. Immediately have your computer checked for a bug or 'bugs.' 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. Changing your password may not be enough to secure your E-mail account again, but try it and see how it behaves. You may have to open a new one with a different ID name and password.

Your account got compromised. First change your password. Account help.http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/acct/in%E2%80%A6 for just about anything to do with your account. Then run anti Virus and Anti Spyware. Should be fine then.

thanks Ben for that detailed reply

But your links to report spam mail to yahoo do not seem to work

regards

Subu

It could be that you have a virus/malware. They are set up to use contact lists to send spam to all on your contacts list. Run a virus scan and also run anti-malware software (a virus scan will not detect malware).

If your account has been hacked, Yahoo! has a neat thing where you can check to see if any unauthorized parties have logged into your account (I have tried this and it works):

1. In your mail, click "Options"

2. Then "Mail Options" from that list

3. From the list on the left, choose "Account Information" (you will be asked for your password)

4. Then under the "Sign-In and Security" section, click "View your recent login activity".

Once you do that, a list will pop up showing all recent login in activity. You will immediately see anything out of the ordinary. If you do see something, cancelling the account could be your best option:. Before cancelling the account, first create VERY strong password consisting of letters, numbers, symbols, capital letters, etc. Then continue to monitor log-in activity as described above. If you continue to see unauthorized log-in activity, consider creating a new account. Or even consider not using Yahoo! mail for you personal mail. I would recommend Gmail.

More on Malware from Yahoo:

http://help.yahoo.com/kb/index?y=PROD_MSNG&page=co...