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E-mail offers many opportunities
for security problems and should not be considered secure. E-mail messages
can easily be forged and do not necessarily afford the privacy one might
expect. Malicious web sites can install software on your computer or collect
personal information from your computer. Here are a some basic things
to keep in mind:
- Don't give out confidential information in response to an e-mail.
For example, someone may try and persuade someone to give out their password
or a credit card number. You may not know whom you are dealing with.
- Computer users should be wary of e-mails asking that you follow a web link or
URL. Often attacks will try to hide or obscure a URL to trick you into
providing information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or other
personal information. As a rule, particularly if the message is unexpected,
you should contact the sender of the e-mail via phone to verify that
the message is legitimate. If you need to access the web address, you
should select the web address in the e-mail message, copy the address,
then paste the address into the web browser.
- Be wary of e-mail attachments that you don't know anything about (this
also applies to web downloads). Actually, it's very easy for a computer
virus to be present in e-mail from your best friend. It is strongly
suggested that antivirus software
be used to scan anything that you receive in your e-mail.
- If you receive abusive e-mail, it should be reported to abuse@colorado.edu
so action can be taken. It is suggested you do not delete the message,
as it can often be useful in tracking down the incident. Read abuse
guidelines and tips at www.colorado.edu/its/abuse.html
- Always use caution when surfing the web. Consider installing protective
software which can help protect your computer from malicious web sites.
Contact the IT Service Center to schedule an installation of the software.
- Be wary of unsolicited technical advice. Strangers may suggest certain
things that could easily expose your computer to attack.
Get Help
IT Service Center
303-735-4357 (5-HELP)
security@colorado.edu |
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