[Voodoo Thumb]

OS= Windows 7
I'm not sure what is going on. I received an email from a friend, with a link to some nonsense about "Make $15K a month at home with your computer!" I know that the guy that supposedly sent that to me is too smart for that stuff.
The next day my inbox is filled with "Failure to send" notices, and it appears to be this same thing. This message was sent to people on my contacts list.
I have Yahoo email.
I hope I've described it well enough that someone recognizes what is going on. Do I need to do something about this? I use Microsoft Security Essentials, and I update it and run it frequently.
How do I deal with this?
Thank you.

[etaf]

would you please follow this thread
http://forums.techguy.org/virus-othe...e-posting.html

[Voodoo Thumb]

I don't have the time, the background, or the inclination to do all this. Is there something simple I can try first? System Restore?
I may just have to take it to a technician.

[etaf]

Is there something simple I can try first? System Restore?

Not really - you may be able to run a virus / malware scanner - but often theres more needed
restore will not help , as the virus / malware will be in the restore as well

if you decide to take it to a technician make sure they are well versed in virus/malware removal - all some do is run a scanner or two and give it back.

malwarebytes - http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
superantispyware -http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html
and an online scan from something like trend - http://housecall.trendmicro.com/uk/

but to be really sure - the logs and a malware guru here will be the best solution - but its your choice

[Beef246]

You may also want to look into Phishing / Spam and how to recognise these so that in future you wont be caught out by one of these emails.

[Phantom010]

Email Spoofing

Email Spoofing

How do Spammers Harvest Email Addresses

Seems Like You Volunteered to Receive Spam?

You can't do much about it, at least not with the actual account. These links are to give you all the facts about email spoofing and how it is achieved, along with advice on how to avoid it, or at least limit it.