my outlook express has been hacked and i have norton internet security
how can i stop someone from remotely accessing my computer

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Request for Question Clarification by vinods-ga on 15 Dec 2002 03:04 PST

Hello, 

Please furnish some more information. OS, Outlook version, description
of the problem, etc.

warm regards
vinods-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by livioflores-ga on 15 Dec 2002 03:55 PST

Also if you have windows 98, Me, 2000 or XP, run the program msconfig
(Start --> Run --> Type msconfig --> Press Enter).
See in the Start tab wich programs are starting at windows start up
and give us the list.
Thank you

livioflores-ga

Unless you are using some feature of Outlook not available elsewhere,
your best choice may be to abandon Outlook entirely.  Outlook and
Outlook express are usually not vulnerable to the same exploits, but
the vast majority viruses, worms, trojans, etc. which attack mail
clients attack those two because of their extreme insecurity. 
Numerous alternatives exist, from the free mail clients included in
Netscape and Mozilla to commercial software such as Mulberry (produced
by Cyrusoft) or Pine.  There are also web-based email clients using
PHP and other scripting languages which may work well for you.

Haversian, will you marry me?

If haversian won't, granny bing, then I will! There's a well-known
joke that the flu has the distinction of being the only virus that
Outlook won't propogate.

Sorry, amonraja. I know that is *not* a helpful comment.
Unfortunately, as haversian says, Outlook is extremely vulnerable. I
use Netscape Mail with Java and Javascript disabled, and I've never
had an email virus. I receive about 15 per day, but they can't
actually run. An alternative mail client is probably your best bet.

Hi, amonraja-ga:

I'm going against the tide of opinion here, but I still use Outlook
Express.  No particular reason or excuse, but I do.  Here's my
recommendations if, like me, you are a glutton for punishment.

1) Disable the preview window, if you haven't already.  (Uncheck the
Preview Pane checkbox on the View > Layout... menu/dialog.)

2) Run a "Download and Email Scan" enhancement to your virus scanner. 
(I use the McAfee Virus Scan Pro 6.0, but I would have to believe
Norton does a similar option.)

3) Never open anything with an attachment unless you were expecting it
and recognize the source.  Use the Block Sender feature to fight spam,
and set up Rules to cut down on bogus messages coming into your inbox.

4) Disable Windows Scripting Host, unless you have a specific need for
this and can justify the risk.

5) In addition to a virus checker, use a "spyware" checker regularly. 
(I like Adaware, which is free from lavasoftusa.com or lavasoft.de.) 
You may have some harmful programs disguised as "utilities" that get
downloaded during browsing; it may have facilitated an attack on your
email client.

regards, mathtalk-ga

Right on, haversian...  Seriously:
Once a system has been compromised, there is no way to be very
confident it's clean except to reformat and reinstall.
If you want to "stop someone from remotely accessing [your] computer"
once they've installed spyware, the best solution is to reinstall from
scratch.
I know you may not want to do this, but it is safest.
Virus programs don't detect spyware.
The next safest option is to pay for Agnitum (www.agnitum.com)'s
software: tauscan and jammer.  In conjunction with Norton, you should
be OK - it's almost as good as a reformat and reinstall, and has fewer
downsides.
If this doesn't answer your question, please provide more info: What
are the indications that "outlook express has been hacked"?  What
version of Windows are you running?

Oh, and switching from Outlook or switching to use a mail client that
filters out viruses that someone tries to email you, such as
fastmail.fm, would work well too.