Use Email Responsibly:

Many viruses and worms are spread via email. An attachment should not be opened unless it was specifically requested or expected. Since email worms are sent to addresses found on infected users' computers, just knowing the sender is no proof of intent. In fact, odds are an email worm will arrive from someone you know and the sender is oblivious to the infection being sent from their computer. If you receive such an email from someone you know, contact that person and ask if they intended to send you the attachment. If you don't know the sender, delete the email. Save all attachments that you want to open to your hard drive and scan them with your antivirus software before opening them.

Be alert for email scams. These may appear to come from a trusted business or friend, but actually are designed to trick you into downloading a virus or going to a fraudulent website and disclosing sensitive information.

Don't reply to any email that requests your personal information. Be very suspicious of any email from a business or person that asks for your password, social security number, or other highly sensitive information.

Don't send Spam. Spam is electronic junk mail. If you don't want to receive the email from someone else, don't send it to others. Spamming is a violation of ECU Computer Use and Network Use Policies. For information on how to respond to Spam mail that you receive, read Spam at ECU.

Don't use other email programs on campus (AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail, Etc.). Our exchange email has software to block many viruses and worms whereas your personal email account may not. Your personal email account can allow a virus or worm onto the University network and infect other computers.

Patch your system. Keeping your operating system and applications patched will help guard against vulnerabilities exploited in viruses and worms that can infect your computer. For more information on patches, check out the Computer Security Reference document (pdf). Check the Table of Contents for the appropriate subject. Keep your antivirus definitions current. Updated antivirus definitions can help protect your computer from virus infections. Update your definitions prior to opening your email. For more information on antivirus software, click here.

Click here for email access and directory information.