How to send mass emails?

How are people able to send mass emails to all my contacts from my email?

• Everyone on my email list is getting these crazy email lists for Viagra and hot sexy housewife! I am not sending them. What is going on and how do I fix it. I have been told to delete my email account, also, to keep that account but change the password. I have had this acct for 10 years and I really hate to change it if I dont have to. HELP!!!!!!!!!!

• Answer:

  Sounds like your E-mail account has been compromised, or you picked up a virus, Heather. Immediately have your computer checked for a 'bug' or 'bugs.' If you have the proper programs, do the scans yourself, if not you need to take your computer to some one who can. Once it is clean of pests, install a firewall and an anti-virus program if you do not have one yet. I strongly recommend a program for malware and adware also. After you finish this, then go in and change your password, using a good strong one. Also, check your account information and make sure no information was changed, if it was change it back immediately. Then, you will have to inform your contacts that it was not you sending that mail, but they need to check their computers in case they were also infected.