Computer Help and Support

CloudWatcher

(1,953 posts)

1. Email is trivially forged

Wed Apr 15, 2020, 08:29 PM

Apr 2020

Some email spammer is sending out emails using your email address in the "From" field. When it (appropriately) bounces, the email system delivers it back to you.

Email is entirely trivial to forge. Never trust it. It's been this way since the dawn of the Arpanet/Internet. I remember demo'ing this to my boss in 1980 ... forging an email to him, from his boss, accepting his resignation.

The problem is that email was designed back when the Arpanet/Internet was an experiment of trusted sites and people. The original designers of email never imagined the Internet of today with rampant fraud and spoofing.

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Problem with supposedly bounced emails I've never sent. [View all] Frustratedlady Apr 2020 OP

Email is trivially forged CloudWatcher Apr 2020 #1

What is the purpose? I don't understand why they would do this if no $$s were involved. I hope!!! Frustratedlady Apr 2020 #5

Spam filters CloudWatcher Apr 2020 #13

Yes, I get those calls every day. Frustratedlady Apr 2020 #15

National Do Not Call Registry CloudWatcher Apr 2020 #17

That works for a short time, then we're back to calls again. Frustratedlady Apr 2020 #19

You could have picked up canetoad Apr 2020 #2

Yes, I have run a malware scan with nothing found. Frustratedlady Apr 2020 #6

Another possibility canetoad Apr 2020 #9

Hmmm! This is the first time I've run into this problem. Frustratedlady Apr 2020 #10

Check the 'To' address CloudWatcher Apr 2020 #14

No, they are using my address. Frustratedlady Apr 2020 #16

The original To field CloudWatcher Apr 2020 #18

Yes. The example I posted was... Frustratedlady Apr 2020 #20

Perhaps someone has spoofed your email address as origination of their spam operation. cayugafalls Apr 2020 #3

I haven't opened any until tonight when curiosity killed the cat. Frustratedlady Apr 2020 #7

See if changing your password to your email account helps. PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2020 #4

I will do so. Thanks! Frustratedlady Apr 2020 #8

It's a classic trick. If you respond in any way, they know a live human is on the other end. Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2020 #11

I have not responded to any of them, nor have I opened any except a couple Daemons. Frustratedlady Apr 2020 #12