|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987 |
I started getting strange messages from a friend that I felt were inappropriate from him. Not [*****] but stuff that I know he wouldn't be associated with.
Upon investigation, everyone in his address book were getting the same messages.
He asked my advice in correcting the invasion of his privacy.
He ran MS Essentials Security Scan and it was negative.
Like me, he's an old fossil and even less computer savvy.
His ISP is AT&T. Please suggest what he should do to regain control of his address book.
TIA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 330
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 330 |
Is this E Mail account the one with AT&T or with another one such as Hotmail?
Hotmail was a rich target for hackers recently who took over accounts by correctly guessing some of the simple and easy to crack passwords folks were using.
Which now leads me to the answer to your friends problem, he only needs to change his accounts password to something hopefully a good bit stronger and less easy for others to guess.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,703
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,703 |
He should try Ccleaner: http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/downloadAnd anti-malwarebytes: https://www.malwarebytes.org/Get the free version of each. This is how I use these products. 1-run Ccleaner - this takes out all temp files 2-run your anti-virus 3-run anti-malwarebytes in safe-mode - when done click on history and delete all it finds 4-run Ccleaner in registry mode - it's in the left column of the program. It will scan your registry. If it finds things be sure to backup the registry - it will give you an option to do so. Then clean the registry. Report back what happened. This is another case that proves you should backup your entire HD with Acronis or any other image making program onto an external drive. NOTE - some have had problems with Ccleaner's registry clean. I have never had a problem with it being too aggressive. So BE SURE TO MAKE A REGISTRY BACKUP WHEN ASKED so you can return it to its last state. Good luck and I hope this helps.
OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 330
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 330 |
No amount of internal cleaning can get rid of the fact that a hacker has gained access to an E Mail account, nor can it stop it happening in the future. Only a strong password can help prevent any hackers from stealing personal address books from E Mail accounts. In most cases I have encountered, a change of password prevents the original hacker from regaining access to the address book, as these guys don't bother storing them for future re-use, why should they when they can access the account whenever they want till you change the password, it doesn't bother them when you do, they have hundreds more to play with to send their spam or other vile messages. I will also strongly recommend not to use registry cleaners they can wreck a computer. What is the point of keeping a registry backup when the registry itself is so mangled it prevents you running the back up. Three very good write ups about why registry cleaning is a waste of time any way. http://www.whatthetech.com/2007/11/25/do-i-need-a-registry-cleaner/http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2005/04/why-i-dont-use-registry-cleaners/http://miekiemoes.blogspot.co.uk/2008/02/registry-cleaners-and-system-tweaking_13.htmlC.Cleaner is a good cleaning tool, providing you do not use the registry cleaner, as shown above, pretty pointless and time wasting exercise any way. I am not a moderator on several computer help forums for nothing, or because I don't know anything.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732 |
Agree with Nev about just changing the password to a less predictable one.
Mario is on point too with cleaning issues on the PC. I use Malware Bytes a lot.
Since I'm a computer geek I tend to get all the family's laptops/PCs when they get some funk on them. I tend to get more virus/spyware issues than hacked email.
My Hotmail account got hacked about 5 years ago and all my contacts were emailed junk. Since then I backed up all my contacts to a separate file and deleted them from Hotmail. I also keep my sent mail and trash can empty. If my account would get hacked again, it would be less likely that junk would get out to contacts since they are gone.
 Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987 |
Thanks to who responded. We are getting his system sorted.
I gave him an extra External USB Drive so he can clone his HDD after a thorough cleanup.
You folks are awesome!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,204
Posts801,930
Members40,067
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean