Securing Your E-Mail

The University's Information Technology Unit (ITU) is implementing a new requirement for e-mail beginning June 1, 2006. Though using e-mail is one of the most popular communications tools on the Internet, it is one of the least secure. Unsecured e-mail is sent over the Internet in plain text, meaning that the username and password you use to login to your e-mail server can be stolen and used by computer hackers. This is a security risk for you and for the university as well.

Beginning on June 1, you will not be able to access your GMU e-mail account if your e-mail program does not use encryption technology. Encryption technology transforms your plain text into an unreadable code format. This means that any hackers that stumble across this coded text on the network will not be able to understand what it says.

If you use the Web-based Messenger Express (https://mail.gmu.edu) to access your e-mail, then you are already using encryption technology. You are protected, and you will be able to continue using your e-mail without interruption. However, if you are using a POP or IMAP-based e-mail program (like Outlook, Netscape, Eudora, or Thunderbird), you will need to make some adjustments to the program to turn its encryption technology on.

To assist you in making these changes to your email program, ITU has put together the following easy-to-use instructions: itusupport.gmu.edu/ssl/ssl-instructions.asp.

Also, if you are using Symantec Antivirus 9 or 10 and it is configured for "Internet E-mail Auto-Protect," you will need to disable auto-protect internet e-mail. See these instructions on how to reconfigure the antivirus client: itusupport.gmu.edu/ssl/symantec_instructions.asp

Staff at the University's Support Center will be available to help you in the process. You may contact them at (703) 993-8870 or support@gmu.edu

For additional information, see http://itusupport.gmu.edu/ssl.html.