[imdez]

Please tell me what is going on!

I have winxp, service pack 2, avg, spyware blaster, sygate.

I am using AOL and using 3 screen names (3 different houshold people). We only have one computer and I am using it. One of the other screen names is logging on! I hear them when they log on and when I try to IM them, they log off! I thought only one unique screen name was allowed.

Is this some sort of AOL problem? It's pretty spooky and I'm pis_ _ _! I will contact AOL but have you ever heard of such a thing? What is causing this?

 

[Cheeseball81]

That is odd. From what I remember, if all screen names are on the same account, then only one can sign on at a time. (Unless that has changed).

Are all of these screen names on the same account?

Have you checked for viruses or any signs that someone's password may have been obtained?

 

[imdez]

Yes, we only have the one account and every time I try to IM this...thing(?)...They log off! I have run all of my spyware and virus protection and nothing is found. I'm trying to contact AOL now but...

I think I better change this screen name but want to know if anyone has ever heard of such a problem

 

[Cheeseball81]

They may just change/reset your passwords but you always have the option of creating a new screen name too.

Or you could change the password(s) yourself.

Have you checked under each account (primarily in the mailbox) to see if you don't recognize any sent e-mail?

 

[imdez]

I sure have and no funny emails. AOL says to just change all passwords. HA! Even as we speak the 'door' is opening and closing! I'm gonna change more than just my passwords. This is spooky, like the Twilight Zone!

 

[Cheeseball81]

That is spooky.

 

[imdez]

AOL has just informed me that someone may have stolen that screen name to use it for sending bulk email. Is nothing sacred anymore?

 

[Cheeseball81]

Apparently not!

Will they be resetting the passwords?

 

[imdez]

Oh, no! I'll do that myself. I just don't know how someone stole my screen name and the password for that screen name. Oh, well. Wondering about that I may as well sit on a hillside counting crows!

 

[Cheeseball81]

Do you know if anyone else may have clicked on a bad link or accidentally gave it out?

 

[imdez]

The other name belongs to a 10yr old. We speak about the dangers of the internet and have parental controls on, but I guess it's pretty obvious, huh? Guess we need to tighten the hatches and be thankful that we only got burned by bulk email. This may not have been a big deal to most but it hit home big time and I'm going to learn from this!

 

[Cheeseball81]

Oh yeah, stuff like this happens all the time. It's possible that they received a bogus e-mail saying something required their password. Online scams ya know.

As long as they do not open e-mails when they don't know who it's from or click on any links/attachments. Things like that.

 

[imdez]

Yeah, thanks. I'll DEFINITELY go over online rules once again. I hope this post can at least help anyone else who may have had a similar experience. Thanks for your advice and I'm sure, "I'll be back"

 

[Cheeseball81]

You're welcome, good luck