Spam

The problem is that with the way email works, it is very easy to fake the "from" address of emails. All that is required is an "open relay," which is a type of mail server that is not configured properly.

Most unfortunately of all, almost any computer can function as an open relay. It doesn't need to be a server somewhere, just a computer connected to the internet. Computers that have spyware and viruses on them are usually turned into open relays, or worse.

There's nothing that I can do to stop these computers from sending spams that look like they come from me.

Some ways you can help the overall problem, however, are:

• Keep your anti-virus software up to date.
• Use an anti-spyware program like LavaSoft Ad-Aware. Note that there are lots of anti-spyware programs that actually install spyware. If any program's website makes wild scary claims, that is a bad warning sign.
• If you are inclined to, use Firefox instead of Internet Explorer.
• If you are inclined to, use an Apple Macintosh type computer instead of a Windows PC type computer. It may not be this way forever, but today, Macs are safer computers to use.
• Never open emails from crazy names with subject lines that don't make sense. Sometimes, just clicking on the email installs spyware and viruses.
• Never enter any password into any email from a banking, EBay or PayPal site. These guys never send emails that ask for you to log on. Most of the time, they look real but they're fake, and then someone, somewhere, has your banking password and will try to withdraw your money.

Doug
douglasheld.net