unauthorized e-mail use

[juggernot844]

I live in a vets home and they supply free internet access. Also wifi, which is what I use.
I have suspected for some time that someone in the building was intercepting all of my
internet activity.
I have started receiving e-mails that are addressed to the person i suspect of doing this.
This guy and his friends are very savy with the computer, wifi programs, and programing.
Here's my questions:
How can this happen?
Could there be legal questions that need to be answered?
I have had a computer for some time and am self taught. I learn all the time.
Any help will be welcomed. If you need more information, i will try to answer.
thank you, juggernot84

[kpac]

Have you got a firewall installed on your computer? What email client/service are you using?

[juggernot844]

My firewall is outpost pro. I think he got through this.
I am using yahoo mail.

[kpac]

Have you talked to this person about it?

[juggernot844]

this person is very arrogant (in my opinion) and he would flat out deny it.
We don't have a very good relationship.
This started when all the wifi stuff was donated by a VFW.
The staff here didn't have the expertise in this area. So they put residents, a select group, in charge of all operations.
they think they are above the law.

[kpac]

Have you changed your Yahoo password?

[juggernot844]

I have not tried that. I will do that.
I don't think he needed it to gain access to my e-mail.

[juggernot844]

Question:
Can web sites look into your browser, I'm using Firefox, and get information on what
web sites you have visited?

[kpac]

Question:
Can web sites look into your browser, I'm using Firefox, and get information on what
web sites you have visited?

I don't think so....It's doubtful.

[Helpmeh]

Question:
Can web sites look into your browser, I'm using Firefox, and get information on what
web sites you have visited?

They can, but in a very limited way. They can use something called Tracking Cookies. Also, they can tell what site sent you to their site, but otherwise that's it.

[Zylstra]

Question:
Can web sites look into your browser, I'm using Firefox, and get information on what
web sites you have visited?

It can find out what the last site you visited was as well.
(Called a "Refer URL")

These arent things to worry about though.

The only ways someone can get into your Yahoo account:
A) They can remotely access your computer. Clear all your saved passwords if this is the case, navagate to Start> Control Panel> Add/Remove Programs and check for the following programs:
GoToMyPC, GoToAssist, LogMeIn, UltraVNC, VNC, anything with the name "Remote Access" in it.

Right click "My Computer" go to "Properties" and click the "Remote" tab, and make sure Remote Access is disabled. Remote Assistance wont be a problem, you can leave that enabled.


B) (Most likely way) They might be using the "Forgot Password" feature. You might remember, in the news, when Sara Palin's Yahoo account was hacked... someone used her "Forgot Password" feature on her email to "get in".
You can change the "Forgot Password" information in your account prefrences. I prefer put in answers that are random and inaccurate (eg: Random numbers with letters mixed in) or, a secondary password I use that no one else should know.

C) They might just know your password as well. Change your password to something that can not be guessed.
Something with both letters and numbers in it, at least eight characters long.

Make sure your firewall is updated as well.

"I have started receiving e-mails that are addressed to the person i suspect of doing this."
What kind of emails?

"I have suspected for some time that someone in the building was intercepting all of my
internet activity."
What exactly makes you suspect this? Weird messages? Strange redirects?


Also, what antivirus do you have running? Its possible that, if someone is "spying" into your computer, they may be using what is called a Trojan (as in, Trojan Horse), which is a program that "gets in" without you knowing, often looking like its something else (eg: A game). Many of these open "back doors" to your computer, allowing someone to access your computer without your permission.

[juggernot844]

wow thank you for the good ideas.
The e-mails came from a web site called eproauctions.com.
This guy buys a lot of stuff on line, ebay and such.
It fits that it came from a web site that he would go to.
I am running Outpost pro.
I would look in the logs that it keeps and I noticed that it blocked
access from an IP and mac address that i see in my wifi program as it scans.
Some times The IP has either x's or zero's.
And a lot of different Ip's and mac's.
The main guy running the wifi was an internet administrator at some college.
Most of the people here have nothing but time on their hands.
Thank you for all your help

[Zylstra]

I wouldent really think its justified to suspect things just because you get an emails from an online auction site... what in particular is odd about these emails?

[juggernot844]

It's not the e-mails, it's the fact that I suspected this person of
intercepting my on-line activities, and I get e-mail's addressed to the same individual. Kind of fishy?
These guys think they know everything there is to know about computers.
I think this person made some kind of mistake, and for some reason I'm getting these e-mails addressed to him.
Is intercepting and reading my e-mails and everything that I do online legal?
Some how I don't think so.
I found something called the Federal Wire Tap Act.
I am just at a lose as to how it happened.
Thank you again for all your support.
Maybe one of his friends is trying to set him up.
By joining a web site using his name and my address.
That is probably more likely than anything else..   

[Zylstra]

The U.S.A. P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act allows the government to intercept and monitor all forms of communication, electronic, physical, or analog. (Phone, email, letters, instant messenger, web site comments, this very forum..)
And they may use this information to prove that you are a terrorist.

Its legal for the government to do this, without suspicion that you might blow up your base right now, but, not for anyone else.


I'm not sure there is any way you can really prove that your communications are being intercepted.