Outlook 2003 Spam

Spammers may be using your computer to send unsolicited — and possibly offensive — email offers for products and services, including Outlook 2003 spam. Spammers are using home computers to send bulk emails by the millions. Indeed, computer security experts estimate that as much as 30 percentage of all spam is relayed by compromised computers in home offices and living rooms, but controlled from afar. Some outlook 2002 spam filters out there can detect and prevent this.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, spammers can compromise your computer in several ways and send out Outlook 2003 spam, depending on what kind of Internet connection you have. All computers connected to the Internet are potential targets, but those with broadband connections are especially attractive to spammers because they are "always on." Spammers scan the Internet, searching for points of entry and then install hidden software that allows remote access to your data and programs. That, in turn, allows the spammer to send messages from your computer. Remote access software also can be installed by a virus: A spammer sends email with a virus in the attachment. If you open the infected attachment in your Outlook 2003 spam without outlook spam control, a virus is let off that installs the hidden software. The person who sent the virus now can access the data and programs on your computer, or take over many computers and use them to send spam.

It can be difficult to tell if a spammer has installed hidden software on your computer from your Outlook 2003 spam, but there are some warning signs. For example, you may get emails accusing you of sending spam; you may find email messages in your "outbox" that you didn't send; or your computer is using more power than it has in the past to run the programs you use. You can also install free spam filter add-ons for outlook express to help prevent this.

If your computer has been taken over by a spammer, you could face serious problems from your Outlook 2003 spam. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may prevent you from sending any email at all until the virus is treated, and treatment could be a complicated, time-consuming process.

To avoid becoming an unwitting culprit, the FTC encourages you to:

• Use anti-virus software and keep it up to date. You can download anti-virus software from the Web sites of software companies or buy it in retail stores. Look for anti-virus software that recognizes viruses, also older ones; that can effectively reverse the damage; and that updates automatically.

• Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you get in your Outlook 2003 spam. Don't open an email attachment — even if it looks like it's from a friend or coworker — unless you are expecting it or know what it has. If you send an email with an attached file, include a text message explaining what it is. Empty all spam in outlook to make sure you delete all older attachments.

• Use a firewall to protect your computer from hacking attacks while it is connected to the Internet. A firewall is software or hardware designed to block hackers from accessing your computer. A properly configured firewall makes it tougher for hackers to find your computer and get into your programs and files. A firewall is different from anti-virus protection: Anti-virus software scans incoming communications and files for troublesome files; a firewall helps make you invisible on the Internet and blocks all communications from unauthorized sources. It's especially important to run a firewall if you have a broadband connection. Sometimes you have to shout, "I hate outlook spam!"

Some recently released operating system software (including Windows XP) comes with a built-in firewall. Because it may be shipped in the "off" method, check your online "Help" feature for specifics on turning it on and setting it up properly. If your operating system doesn't include a firewall, you can install separate firewall software that runs in the background while you use your computer and surf the Internet. Several free firewall software programs are available on the Internet. (You can find one by typing "free firewall" into your favorite search engine.) Or you can buy a hardware firewall — an external device that includes firewall software. Like anti-virus software, a firewall needs to be updated regularly to stay effective. There are a few spam blockers that report spam from outlook as well. You can also combat spam with applescript in outlook express or use bayesian spam filters for outlook express.

• Check your "sent items" file or "outgoing" mailbox to see if there are messages that you did not will send. Many spammers have learned to hide their unauthorized access in your Outlook 2003 spam, so even if there are no illegitimate messages in your outbox, you can't be sure that your computer hasn't been used to send spam. If you know their spamming domain, you can block spam in outlook by domain.

• If your computer is infected, act right away. If your computer has been hacked or infected by a virus, unplug from the Internet right away and delete all of your Outlook 2003 spam and stop all spam in outlook. Then scan your entire computer with fully updated anti-virus software. Report unauthorized accesses to your ISP. Also, if you suspect that any of your passwords have been compromised, call that site's company at once and change your password.

• Learn more about securing your computer at www.ftc.gov/infosecurity.

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