I'm working with Windows 98 SE and using Netscape V7.2 ...  plus connected to the internet via Telus ADSL - and I feel a bit foolish even asking this question.

If one, using a home computer and with no association with any business whatever, is positive they've sent an email to a certain person, how is it possible for someone else not even on one's email list - nor known to the original person the email was sent to - nor with any access to my computer - suddenly have full knowledge of what was said in the email?

Is this even possible? Surely once the email is sent, no one can access emails sent or received?

Thanks so much,
MaraMara, you mention that this mysterious third party isn't in your address book and is unknown to the recipient. But.... is the third party known to you?Yes, this person is known to me - so I'm truly baffled how any of this is possible.

MaraI'm getting the impression there are personal issues at work here, that you probably are not comfortable going into.

Is there a printed version of this e-mail in circulation? Is there anyone else in your home who may possibly may have COMMUNICATED with this individual? Also, while it's not the case now, has this individual EVER had access to your computer that you're aware of?

Unless the party you speak of has advanced hacking expertise, someone associated with you or the recipient is responsible for this message being relayed.The first thing you should do is change your email password. Then talk to the recipient to make sure it was not passed on or made public from that end.

My 2½¢


Have you scanned for a key LOGGER?

Are you using a wireless setup?

Mara...... First of all what Email program are you using ?
Have you looked in your sent box to confirm that the Email in question was actually sent to the intended recipient.  I also use Telus as our service provider and have never heard of anything like this . I sense that there is something else going on .....reading between the lines in your post .......It's possible that a keylogger may be installed on your pc ........and is sending out a logfile of all your keystrokes ......and the text of a Email would be in the log as well .
If you require additional info ....please let us know. What part of the COUNTRY are you in ?  East or West ?

dl65  This is known as Spoofing and hijacking.

Anybody skilled in it, can take it up from the network while it is being sent.Thank you so much to all who are helping me with this - truly!

Yes, the person who  has knowledge of the email that was not sent to him, did at one time have complete access to my computer.

I've checked my 'sent' files and comfirmed the email was sent only once and only to the intended recipient and no one else.  The person I sent it to lives on the opposite end of the continent and has never met - or for that matter, likely knows of - this other person who suddenly has all this information.  (I live in the Vancouver area).

I didn't mean to sound secretive - it's just this person who suddenly has the information is actually related to me ... which makes all this so difficult.

I don't have a 'wireless setup', simply use Telus ADSL - plus I run AVG Antivirus and all updates each day in addition to  Ad-Aware ... but I'm afraid I haven't the faintest idea on how to scan for a 'keylogger'.  

Would that mean the emails I've sent are stored somewhere within the email system and can be retrieved later somehow?  Or equally as horrible, would that mean that a 'keylogger' actually can read/know everything I do on my personal computer?  

Thank you again for all the help - this truly means a great deal to me.
With kindest thoughts,
MaraMara....... Check your Email .....I just sent you some info that might help you .

dl65  Mara...... A keylogger records every key stroke you make ......as well as every location you visit on the net and any files you may access on your pc .......... Then the log can be sent to another pc and you'd never know .

dl65  Hey dl65,

why not us ...   Virus scanners
AVG Free
-- Anti virus scanner
Trend Micro Housecall
-- Online anti virus scanner.

Anti spy/malware
Microsoft Antispyware
-- Anti spyware scanner. Windows XP Home and Professional only.
Spybot Search & DESTROY
-- Anti spyware scanner
Adaware SE Personal
-- Anti spyware scanner

Firewalls
Use both a hardware and software firewall.
Be advised as dual software firewalls may cause problems

ZoneAlarm Free
-- Free firewall - more user friendly
Sygate Personal
-- Free firewall - more configuration options

Removal tools
The following files are not substitutes for the ones described above.
They are either diagnostic tools or removal tools for malware of a certain kind

HijackThis
-- Manual malware remover. Post the HijackThis log GENERATED only if requested!
McAfee Stinger
-- Virus removal tool. No substitute for a fully functional virus scanner!
CWshredder
-- CoolWebSearch removal tool. Widely known and persistant Hijacker.Trademark Raptor   Any chance the guy who intercepted your email works for your ISP? Unless the email was encrypted, it can be read by anyone maintaining your mail server or the mail server of the recipient.

I can think of another method which wouldn't require keyloggers. He simply might have called up your ISP and fraudulently obtained the user name and password information for your email account.

"Would that mean the emails I've sent are stored somewhere within the email system and can be retrieved later somehow?  Or equally as horrible, would that mean that a 'keylogger' actually can read/know everything I do on my personal computer?"

Yes on both counts.

Some related links:

http://luxsci.com/extranet/articles/email-security.html
http://www.wildid.com/default.asp?targetPage=http://www.wildid.com/email_interception.asp
http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2004/071204bradner.html
http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/04/07/wo_asbrand072804.asp

RayG I thank all of you who have been kind enough to assist me!

Raptor, I went to each link you sent and read them thoroughly - and shall download and use 'CW Shredder' 'just in case.'  And I'll no longer ever just assume that emails remain private simply by running anti-virus and Ad-aware programs each day.  If nothing else, this experience has been a true learning experience about email security - thank you!

RayG, when I read your words "He simply might have called up your ISP and fraudulently obtained the user name and password information for your email account" ...I realized that this person had both my user name and password information (which will be changed immediately!) ... but I'm wondering --- if I contact my ISP, would they have a record of of this?

dl65, thanks for explaining that a 'keylogger' is a very frightening thing!! So far I haven't received your mentioned email, but really look forward to reading it - thank you!

Oddly enough, this entire situation would somehow be 'easier' to cope with if the person in question wasn't a relative.  Sad sigh.  Funny how I wouldn't have dreamed of sharing my computer password and email access with even a friend, but a relative seemed  different somehow.  This whole thing is so so sad but a lesson I won't forget.

Thanks again for your kindess and help,
Mara