Sunday 3 April 2011

My Apologies

I would like to apologize to anyone whom I e-mail privately. It would appear that my personal e-mail account has been compromised. It all began two days ago and someone has hacked into it and stolen my contact list, so that anyone I have been in communication with privately is now getting spam from me. They are NOT viruses, nor are they phishing, or malware. I have been in contact with my Service Provider (AOL) 4 times now and all they keep telling me to do is to change my e-mail password. This has not stopped the problem. I have had my son, who is a computer technician at a large Canadian University and who maintains and services their computers, go over my computer remotely, and he assures me I have neither a virus, nor any malware on my computer. These are simply people who get a rise out of stealing people's e-mail addresses and spamming their contacts. My son even managed to send me an e-mail from myself which I had not sent. He says it is very easy to do. All I can do now is to change my e-mail address, which is a very involved process as I will also have to try to change all my contacts and business details which I do business with. However that will not stop you from getting these annoying e-mails as they will still continue to use my e-mail address. If you think it is annoying getting 2 or 3 bogus e-mails from me a day, just remember, I am getting hundreds of "failure to deliver" e-mails a day as these bogus e-mails bounce back from noreply e-mail addresses, for they are not only sending these out to my friends, but to every company, or person that has ever had occasion to e-mail me for any reason. I do want to apologize to all my readers and friends and to let you know that these are in no way attached to this blog, nor my other one. It is still safe to read A Year From Oak Cottage, and to comment. Just don't e-mail me, until I get this sorted. Sorry for any inconvenience.

12 comments:

  1. Hope you get it sorted soon Marie:(

    On a lighter note, I have been playing with your stamps:) I mislaid them and thought I had chucked them out with some magazines. But I found them late yesterday afternoon, they are FABuLOUS!! The images are so crisp and clear. Love 'em, love 'em Love'Em!!!

    Hugs

    Sheilagh

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  2. What a bother that is. So sorry you are having a rough time there and hopefully soon there will be someway that can get sorted out. I'll just delete the emails - no problem there. Hope your Sunday is a great one for you!

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  3. Marie, now that we know it is not a virus, please do not trouble yourself to change your email address if you haven't already. I got one the first day and one the second day and have not had another. It will be ok.

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  4. Hope you get this sorted soon. I got 2 the first day, the one the second day. I reported them as spam, deleted them and have not gotten any more. Love you Marie! Raquel XO

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  5. I've only gotten a couple Marie and it's no problem - I just deleted them knowing you weren't going to send me an ad for Viagra. :) I have a friend who got his e-mail hacked like that and they sent out an appeal for money telling everyone he was stranded in London. He is a missionary and was appalled. :) It happens. Don't worry about it - it will work out. blessings, marlene

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  6. Ouch that is really a problem - that's why I did away with AOL years ago - they are known for that.

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  7. Marie, I had one of these "spams" I did laugh at the content and thought to myslef my dear Marie and Todd are a right pair LOL...
    I do hoep it is sorted soon sounds like you have an awful lot of work to do. whatever do folk get out of doing that sort of thing...
    As you now know I have been off air..for last 10 days. I was changing over from a BT landline to having it in one bundle from AOL..something went wrong on the change over day when BT disconected me and AOL seemed not to re-connect. It has taken e 10 days of desperation to get back to normal...hope the saving of £12 aprox a month will be worth it !!
    that on top of everything else that has happend this week is enough to send me right round the bend !!
    Love Sybil xx

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  8. You have a charming blog! And you made me hungry with your recipes! :0)

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  9. what a pain in the patootie!!! sorry marie:( just know i don't care at all getting them, you are the one having to deal with way more than anyone that is receiving them! love ya:)

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  10. and p.s. i think i have maybe only gotten 2. not many at all!

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  11. I have been getting spam e-mails from Hotmail and these from you Marie. I just delete them and get on with the day. I got one from a friend a year ago now and wrote back to her telling her what happened. She couldn't do anything either. They soon stopped and I suppose the stupid spammer moved on elsewhere. It makes you wonder what is inside some people's heads...doesn't it? Or what satisfaction they get out of doing it.
    ((((Hugs)))))

    Jeanie xxxx

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  12. Ugh - sorry!! Nobody could blame you, as you're not sending them out! I only got one, no big deal.

    Hang in there!!

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