Suspicious E-mail

[jogartrago]

Recently, I've begun to receive periodic E-mail usually w/ attachment from individuals unknown. Suspecting they contain malware I'm careful not to open any and equally careful to delete them promptly.
Three questions: 1. Is it possible to trace the source of these messages w/o opening them.
2. Where, most likely, did these malcontents get my E-mail address?
3. Apart from just deleting the unwanted E-mail anything else I can do to rid myself of the problem (concern)?

[Paul Komski]

1. Is it possible to trace the source of these messages w/o opening them.
Its possible to see where they started out on their voyage across the internet - yes - but only that ISP or company would know which actual PC it emanated from. If you are using OE RClick on the message and choose properties then Details then Message Source. The first line above the From/To section that starts something like:-
Received: from your0vl6h3wyqh ([86.29.61.4]) by aamta12-winn.ispmail.ntl.com with SMTP id 20051211114217.WNVB18425.aamta12-winn.ispmail.ntl.com@your0vl6h3wyqh>
for <xxx@example.com>; Sun, 11 Dec 2005 11:42:17 +0000
shows in the above example that the entry point to the internet was the IP address 86.29.61.4 and which can be looked up. With spam it wont match where the message is "supposed" to have come from since the From and ReplyTo fields are very easily spoofed.

2. Where, most likely, did these malcontents get my E-mail address?It could be that one of your own contacts got "infected" and your addy lifted from their address book or another contact may have sent round robin letters including your address as a multiple forward to loads of people with a "funny joke" etc. Etc, etc.

anything else I can do to rid myself of the problem (concern)?If its a virus then you may have to wait until the originating PC gets cleaned up wherever that is; if it's spam then you will probably have to tolerate it until you decice to change your eMail address.

[jogartrago]

Thanks for your rapid response.
1. I don't use OE.
2. This sounds reasonable. One of my contacts frequently sends me "inspirational" round robin letters which I detest & which I delete after reading. This makes me think the stuff being sent is benign but I'll take no chances.
3. Changing my email address doesn't appeal to me. I'm too lazy by lots. I hope it's the first alternative & the originating PC gets cleansed.

Thanks again for responding. PC Guide Forums are usually helpful.

"Illegitamus non carborundum"

[pangea33]

The network at my employer got hit hard with an AIM virus this Friday. The text said "is this you?" and there was a link to a *.pif file. Unfortunately a couple of people clicked on the link and hilarity ensued. Those of us using GAIM were unaffected, including the ones who regrettably clicked the link