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Use Email Safely

Learn some basic ways to protect you and your computer from email viruses and scams.

1. Don’t Open Unexpected Attachments
Viruses are often sent via email attachments. UCI scans incoming email (sent to “@uci.edu” addresses) and cleans known viruses. However, new viruses may get through before our anti-virus software has been updated. 

    • Do not open an attachment unless you are expecting it AND you know who it is from.
    • If you receive an attachment from someone you don’t know, delete it immediately without opening it.
    • Use anti-malware software and keep it updated.
    • If you need to send an attachment, contact the recipient and let him know you are sending it so he knows it is not a virus. If you are faculty, staff, or a graduate student, consider using approved University cloud storage to upload your file and then send the recipient a link to download the file.

2. Use Spam Filters
UCI has many safeguards in place to rid you of unsolicited email or spam.

3. Beware of Spoof Emails or Phishing
Phishing emails are an attempt by thieves to lure you into divulging personal information for their profit. Learn to recognize the telltale signs of Phishing.

4. Don’t Send Sensitive Data in Email
When you send a message, you no longer have control over what is done with it or to whom it is forwarded. Also the contents of email is not secure by default. Choose instead to host a sensitive file in OneDrive and share an link to that instead.

5. Avoid clicking on links in the body of an email message.
While these links may not be a phishing attempt, they may not go to the site you intend. Unless you are completely comfortable that the email is legitimate, it is best to copy and paste the link or type it in directly in your browser.