sudden influx of spam

DanoUK · May 12, 2011, 16:55:23

Hello,

I have had an idnet email account since 2008 and until recently never received a single spam message! This has been a great situation.
As of last thursday I am getting around 10 per day. Is there currently an issue with IDnet's filtering.

Perhaps there another possible explanation? (eg) a friends PC and address book has been compromised? (eg) play.com email address leak?
I have always been careful never to use my idnet email account when signing up to forums etc. The only exceptions being play.com and lovefilm.

All advice and suggestions welcome,
Thanks,

-- Dan

pctech · May 12, 2011, 17:13:38

I think you've hit the nail squarely on the head Dan.

Pretty much all malware now harvests addresses which are sent back to a central server or used to distribute itself as well as causing other mayhem on your PC.

Not really anything you can do.

Glenn · May 12, 2011, 17:15:48

Dan.

I haven't seen an increase myself, but as you say, the recent hacks to Sony etc could be the reason.

Rik · May 12, 2011, 17:31:37

HI Dan, welcome to the forum.

I have multiple IDNet accounts plus my own domain, and have seen no increase in spam on any of them, so I agree with Mitch & Glenn, I think you're the victim of someone else's misfortune or carelessness.

BrianM · May 12, 2011, 17:58:21

Not much help but no problems here either Dano

Baz · May 12, 2011, 17:59:27

I seem to go through stages of getting lots then it'll stop for ages then start again so i can see what Dan means.

I use Mailwasher which helps a bit, in a way

Ray · May 12, 2011, 18:00:48

Dan.

DanoUK · May 13, 2011, 18:26:33

as if by magic since I created this post all the spam is automatically being directed to a spam folder (on webmail at least)
thanks for replies and the assurance idnet is still providing a good service

pctech · May 13, 2011, 18:28:05

The spam filter must read the forum too

Rik · May 13, 2011, 18:28:28

We have it trained.

Niall · May 13, 2011, 22:09:22

I've never had spam in mine. Then again I've never given it to anyone. I have used it to create an account on myspace so I can follow my mates band (who are playing as we speak in the Commercial, Wrexham), and I still haven't received any. If I do, I'll know it was myspace that's the culprit

pctech · May 14, 2011, 14:21:49

I have yahoo addresses that I use for forums and only have my domain mail on my CV, a few shopping sites and the lottery and very close friends.

I suspect one of them who is not that tech savvy probably fell for one of the social engineering tricks.