So I'm a spammer?

“Computer Virus?

So... I'm not sure if I have this straight.

It appears someone is spamming people using my e-mail addy? OR... they are somehow doing this so it bounces back to me and I get a computer virus?

If it's the first scenario... I sure as hell do not want my e-mail addy looking like it is some spammer. Who do I contact on this? Earthlink???”

“Your email addy is being spoofed probably by a program in the spam similar to a virus.”

“I would recommend some sort of Trojan protection...something like Pest Patrol. Also, you'll need an up-to-date antivirus solution and all the recommended Microsoft Security patches. Sounds like the Blaster worm to me. If you go to Symantec's site, they have some virus removel tools. http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/tools.list.html”

“I ran the virus program. Not a virus.

I wrote to Earthlink. They gave some ideas, which I haven't had much time to peruse yet.

Part of what they responded:

It sounds like a Spammer used your address in what's known as a "Forged
Header". As a general rule, Spammers use "Forged Headers" to disguise
their own address. The vast majority of the time, it's a pure
coincidence that they guessed your address rather than a fake one.

That is why you are receiving email replies which make it seem like you sent out a Spam message. In most cases, this is a single incident and resolves itself within a few days. Finding the original source of the email is difficult as it will require getting the full extended headers from an original email sent by the spammer. A header from a response to the email or a bounce message will not help. If you can get a copy of the original message with the full extended header please forward that information to epasupport@earthlink.net for assistance in determining the source.”

“Did that damn vIoLiN start running a spam site?????? ;-)

Just received this email:

Sender: SI:ZeN:HANC:eR
Subject: InWe:eKs2~3INC:HES
......

LOL”