what to do when email is hacked/sending spam to contacts?

[Anonymous]

It happened to a yahoo account, a secondary account I use mainly for list-serv emails etc.

I went in and changed my password. Anything else?

[Anonymous]

google it there are a bunch of tips online (this just happened w/my junk email account - so annoying! )

[Anonymous]

Seems to be under control - it looks like an isolated incident rather than a big hack job. I changed my password and secret questions just in case, on all my accounts.

I assume by 2011 most people realize I'm not selling penis enlargers etc.

[Anonymous]

This just happened to me last night. I changed my password and I think it's ok now. I should probably run some antivirus on my laptop too.

[Anonymous]

Get rid of the account and start over.

[Anonymous]

This happened to me the other night with my AOL email account - which I only use for listservs, online shopping, etc. and VERY occasionally for work if I have to send/receive a huge file - my work email has ridiculously small size limitations. Someone reported the message as spam, and so I got a "you were reported as a spammer" message from AOL. I responded to that with something that was nicely worded, but essentially said "F you, I was hacked and this was not my fault." I received the following which might be helpful to you...

Dear Member,

If you feel that your account has been subjected to fraudulent use, please take the following steps:

1) Delete any files you may have downloaded that came attached to e-mail. Then go to Keyword: Virus for information on identifying and removing any viruses or Trojan Horses that may have infected your computer.
2) Sign on to each one of your screen names and change all passwords. You can change your password online by using Keyword: Password. If you utilize AIM , you can change that password at Keyword: Password.
Remember; never give out your personal password, credit card or any type of billing information to anyone online. No real employee will ever ask for more than eight digits of your billing information. You will never be asked to verify your complete credit card number, checking account number or password. When you are asked to verify the billing information, it will be to verify that we are dealing with the Billing Contact to make sure no one is attempting to utilize your account fraudulently.
To learn more about account security, be sure to visit Keyword: Security or http://safety.aol.com.
If you have additional comments or questions please email them to [e-mail].

Regards,
Community

Recommended Premium Services:
. IDVault is a one-click tool that safeguards your personal and confidential information from online theft and fraud. AOL members can try it free for 30 days!
. AOL members on the Dial-Up Advantage and High-Speed Essentials plans can download the McAfee Internet Security bundle at no additional charge! Non-members or members on the Free AOL plan can try it free for 30 days!
. Protect your family's online transactions proactively with SafeCentral!
. Protect your personal information, your credit, your computer and your privacy with BetterGuard, your complete privacy protection solution!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get rid of the account and start over.

\

No need to do that if it's a one time thing. It's likely a spammer and not a hacker.