My computer just got hit by botnet

[The Ogdru Jahad]

So my comp is now a part of botnet it's a zombie computer now!! Idk how this happened, all of a sudden my email started sending out THOUSANDS of emails that were returned by the system. It's at 10332 sent and returned, the number is going up by the second. I've run scans by norton and NOTHING is coming up. What is going on?! Help?!?!

[Glisern]

are the emails going out through your email program or the email provider? example, outlook(program) or gmail(provider)

If it's just mail, you could try changing passwords. perhaps it's just your email that's been hacked

[vesseblah]

Start computer in safe mode, and run some rootkit scanner.

[haxartus]

It surprises me that you know what a botnet is but not how to fix it.

<Mod Warning. Haxartus you know better than to post an unhelpful troll. Heed my warning forum goers do not troll one another or I shall get my big ol' infract stick and start smacking people with it.>

Culadin

[Pejo]

Do the safe-mode option and see if emails are still being sent out. Good chance it could be going directly from your email. Just change your password in this case. I would scan in safemode for keyloggers anyways. Norton should be fine to find anything but you can try MalwareBytes as well.

[wombinator04]

Once again, Norton fails to protect people.

<Mod Warning. Brand bashing is not tolerated, consider this your warning before an infraction is given.>

Culadin

[The Ogdru Jahad]

It surprises me that you know what a botnet is but not how to fix it.

Keep trolling bro.

I'll try safemode and changing my password..it is being sent through my school email which they provide (@xxxxxx.edu)

[Pejo]

Are you currently running your school email through a mailing client like Outlook or do you log into their website for it?

[Deleted]

Once again, Norton fails to protect people.

haha, so true

And try changing your email password if you've done a scan and theres no keyloggers on your system

[Flatspriest]

Sounds more likely that your email account is compromised and you need to change the password for it from a secured computer after making sure that no forwarding options are set up that you didn't set up yourself.

[OhpUldum]

Keep trolling bro.

I'll try safemode and changing my password..it is being sent through my school email which they provide (@xxxxxx.edu)

Visit the virus removal thread here. It should cover your bases, but if for whatever reason it is unsuccessful reply again and we can look to other steps.

[taekvideo]

Keep trolling bro.

I'll try safemode and changing my password..it is being sent through my school email which they provide (@xxxxxx.edu)

It's true though.. most people who know what a "botnet" is are technically savvy enough to get rid of it xD

Your school email is probably compromised.. it happens all the time. You didn't by any chance respond to an email requesting you to "verify" your account/email? Those are all scams trying to get your password.

[The Ogdru Jahad]

Are you currently running your school email through a mailing client like Outlook or do you log into their website for it?

website, never use outlook

[vesseblah]

website, never use outlook

Then somebody has either your password, or has hacked your school's email server. There's no botnet running on your computer, but there might be keylogger that stole your email password.

[The Ogdru Jahad]

It's true though.. most people who know what a "botnet" is are technically savvy enough to get rid of it xD

Your school email is probably compromised.. it happens all the time. You didn't by any chance respond to an email requesting you to "verify" your account/email? Those are all scams trying to get your password.

I'm ridiculously secure with my computer, passwords etc, My passwords are all random numbers and letters with no significance to me personally. Ugh this sucks.

[OhpUldum]

I'm ridiculously secure with my computer, passwords etc, My passwords are all random numbers and letters with no significance to me personally. Ugh this sucks.

You could still be the victim of a keylogger or your schools email server has been hacked. Read what I said before, visit the thread, and run through the steps. Anything else we say at this point is pointless.

[Deleted]

Bring up your task manager and have a look at your network traffic log, if you've turned into a bot net, you'd notice

[The Ogdru Jahad]

Btw, thanks all for the help, reading through the link now and making sure everything is covered. Really appreciate the help guys! <3

[Cilraaz]

You could still be the victim of a keylogger or your schools email server has been hacked. Read what I said before, visit the thread, and run through the steps. Anything else we say at this point is pointless.

It could also be a spoofing attack. It's not too difficult to send out emails as if it's another address, so all the failed sends go back to them instead of you.

[Keller]

Google chrome doesnt seem like a good idea now, does it?

Worst case scenario is you need to reinstall.
After that, you should get MSE, it's free and better then norton.