spurious returned emails

Quote from AAAintheBeltway:

The last couple of weeks I have received in my email three or four purported "returned to sender" messages. Only problem is I never sent them in the first place. The addressees were typical bogus spam type stuff. They were not in my sent folder either. Each of these returns had an attached file that supposedly was the original message that was being returned. I'm no expert but I knew enough not to open those attachments. Any ideas what this is?

These message come from the virus infected computers and the attachments are usually infected. The virus writer is trying to lure you to open attachment to check out the message you supposedly sent but which has not been delivered. Why do you get those messages? First, this is not a spam, which goal is one way or another to separate you from your money. This is a pure malicious attack, however, it's not personal. Here is how it works. Let's say there are three people, A, B and C. A knows B and C and has their email addresses in his address book. B and C may or may not know each other. A's machine gets infected. The virus extracts email from A's address book and then sends email to B using C's email address as a return address and vica versa. B's antivirus software catches a virus and he writes C that C sent him a virus and threatens him to complain to his ISP, FBI and his mom if C does not stop. C replies telling B to fuck of in general because his machine is clean and antivirus is updated in particular. You get the picture. On the side note, A's machine IP address can be found in the infected email headers.
 
Quote from CaroKann:



That is a slippery slope you are walking on.

Can't you see any problems with that philosophy?


No, it is called welcome to the real world. I certainly wish the world was different, but it is not.

I respect your idealism, but I do not see anything wrong with that philosophy.

Sorry for venturing off the topic.
 
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