Gmail virus threat

[vaneramos]

A friend received an email with an attachment, and identifying my Gmail account as the sender. Fortunately she was suspicious and asked me before opening it. I didn't send the email. It most likely contains a virus.

If you receive an email from me (or presumbably anyone, especially on Gmail) with an attachment and "approved application" in the subject line, delete it without opening it. As far as I can tell, my computer and email account are uninfected, but it would appear someone has hacked into my contact list. I will try to find out whether Google knows anything about this. If anyone has any relevant information about the problem, please let me know.

Comments

[hankdmoose.livejournal.com]

What trapezebear describes is a rather common tactic for viruses which propogate via e-mail. You should send a note to the mailing list you mentioned as well anyone else the two of you might both have in your address list.

You may also want to change your gmail password in case it was cracked. It is possible someone actually broke into your account to send e-mail to people in your address list. This is less probable than the third party infection scenario, but nonetheless a possibility.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, I have taken those precautions. The person who got hit is in the Rainbow Chorus, so the infected computer is most likely someone on the chorus distribution list. I have sent around a warning and a suggestion that people protect their computers properly.

[eloquentwthrage.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but if someone already hacked your Gmail, you'd be locked out of it for good; I guarantee you. They'd change your password, security questions, etc. I've known enough people it's happened to as well who've said that whatever ISP or mail server have done little or nothing to get their original accounts back. They had to start over again.