e-mail problems

[DarrenH]

Hi folks

Here's one I just can't seem to sort out.

For personal use I use Outlok Express and I've never had any trouble with it.

However, in the last few days, when I restart or boot up my pc all pop3 incoming address have changed from the usual mail.isp.com to a numerical IP address.

What could be causing this?

I recently been using a demo of Spam Killer but it seemed to start a few days after that was installed.

Oh another thing that's hapeneing is spam has been diverted to the spam killer folder until a day or so ago, but is now just going into the inbox as normal.

Sorry that was an aside.

I'm perplexed about this pop3 prob though.

Last week I purchased a Router to get access to the net wirelessly from my laptop, but haven't been using that alongside my e-mails, just for browsing, and in any case I haven't managed to get it set up properly yet so I'm still using the BT ADSL modem.

Sorry if this is a little garbled.

Darren

[Rob Holmes]

Darren what happens if you change the pop3 mailservers back?

I haven't heard of Spam Killer but I would remove it as a precaustion - if it won't let you remove it then you may have your answer ;)

Rob

[DarrenH]

Hi

If I change it back, it simple reverts back to the IP type pop3 address when I reboot or when I switch on next time.

Spam Killer is McAfee's spam destroying system.

Darren

[Rob Holmes]

ok - and have you updated and run a virus check?

Rob

[DarrenH]

Hi

All virus, spam and spywhere stuff is up to date, will be running a full virus scan while I'm at work today.

Cheers
Darren

[KM-Tiger]

However, in the last few days, when I restart or boot up my pc all pop3 incoming address have changed from the usual mail.isp.com to a numerical IP address.
What is the numerical IP? 127.0.0.1? Can you post here what it is?

A lot of mail processing programs use the 127.0.0.1 loopback address as part of how they work. ie they connect to your ISP, collect and process the mail, and then Outlook Express connects to 127.0.0.1 to receive it.

[DarrenH]

Hi

Ok have done a full virus check and anti spywhere scan and the problem is still here.

And yes it is that exact IP address.

So, how do I fix it?

Cheers
Darren

[Stationery-Direct]

I used to have the same problem and If I remeber correctly it was something to do with my Virus Software, it changed them for some reason, when it was un-installed it stayed as it was. Try un-installing your virus and spyware to see if that is it.

Worth a try.

Good luck

[KM-Tiger]

And yes it is that exact IP address.

So, how do I fix it?
Is there anything to fix? Are you receiving email OK?

Many AV programs, and probably SpamKiller, though I don't know it, work by collecting your mail from your ISP, processing it and then your normal email client collects it from "127.0.0.1".

127.0.0.1 is sometimes called the loopback address, and is actually the address of your computer. So Outlook Express is being told to collect mail from your own computer, where SpamKiller has already collected from your ISP.

If mail isn't working then uninstall SpamKiller and it should set OE back to the original settings.

If SPAM is troubling you, you might consider using Thunderbird instead of OE. I don;t know anyone who has changed that would change back. Thunderbird has fairly effective Spam/Junk filtering built in, and is free.

[DarrenH]

Hi

No, that's my point, I'm not able to log inot my account until i change the pop3 back to mail.myserver.com

Darren

[kyber]

Darren,

Kent Manufacturing has hit the nail on the head. In order to intercept email going between the internet based pop3 mail server that you collect email from and your pop3 email application (Outlook Express), many anti-virus/spyware/etc. applications change the address that your email application uses to collect email from. They set it to collect from what would look to the application like a mail server on your own computer (127.0.0.1).

The anti-virus/spyware/etc. application itself should have either been configured directly or have automatically picked up from your email application the correct mail server to use on the internet. It has clearly got confused and may well be trying to get email from itself :-)

Look for a configuration option for you security software where you can enter the proper pop3 mailbox details.

Note: some of these security applications expect you to include this information where you would normally put just your user name in the email application.

Thus where you would normally have,

Mailserver: pop3.myisp.net
Usename: myusername
Password: mypassword

You end up with something like:

Mailserver: 127.0.0.1 i.e. find a mailserver on this computer
Usename: pop3.myisp.net/myusername
Password: mypassword

Very confusing. You need to check the documentation of course. Also, look for a newer and better software.

Many security applications check that the email applications continue to use 127.0.0.1 so that the security measures are not bypassed. Better security applications do not have to mess with these settings and intercept communications by other means.

Personally, I use the ZoneAlarm security suite and it checks emails without this messing about.

It is possible of course that there is some other rogue application that is intercepting things.

Thunderbird would work the same way, i.e. via 127.0.0.1 but there is less chance that the security application would know how to change the settings in Thunderbird so once you set the correct pop3 server address, you can collect you email again BUT this email will not be checked by your security software.

In the meantime, you can check you email online using mail2web.com.

Stuart

[confused]

try deleting the account in outlook, then create a new one with the correct detail, usually works. iF Your AV starts popping up warnings about changes to email settings, tell it to not u ndo your changes.

CALV