If you have previously had an email account before, you know that junk email can be a real hassle. It can also be very dangerous. Even though Rockhurst has an extensive firewall and spam prevention technology protecting you and your computer from email threats, you will probably still be exposed to some form of malicious threat in your inbox.

Rockhurst University receives, on average, about 600,000 messages per day... of which only 3% are considered legitimate. While the struggle against unsolicited email is never ending, RUCS is committed to the fight. We will never stop all the SPAM. As fast as our filters can adapt to new threats, the threats adapt to the filters. However, we can make a significant dent.

How Rockhurst protects its users from unwanted messages

1. Message filtering is first done by our Internet service provider before it even gets to our network. This process cuts down on 90-95% of the threats received.
2. Our dedicated messaging firewall analyzes each message and removes another 4-5% of the threats.
3. Each mail server scans and filters any remaining threats, removing such messages before they can be delivered to your mail client.
4. Your Outlook junk filters and local anti-virus scanners remove additional messages.
5. Users remain vigilant and delete or report remaining unwanted messages.

Each step in the process uses a different method or scanning engine to help maximize their effectiveness.

Here are some tips to keep your computer and yourself safe

• Do not open unknown attachments. Attachments that you are not expecting could easily damage your computer and the Rockhurst network. Many viruses are designed to appear as though they are harmless attachments such as pictures or movie clips, but in reality, can destroy your entire system. If you receive an attachment from someone you don't know, delete the email without hesitation. If you receive an attachment from someone you do know, but are not expecting it, investigate. Taking a few minutes to send a reply asking about the attachment could save your computer.
• If it sounds too good, it is too good. It's the same old line that has been around since the beginning. The same holds true with your email. If it's a free vacation for two to anywhere in the known galaxy and all you have to do is click a link, you will more than likely be taking that vacation to your nearest computer service center. Although the address may be advertised as "Free For You Vacations", you may be directed to a computer that is infected with a virus, thus infecting your computer as well.
• Don't make it personal. Never send out personal information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, bank PINs, etc. out via email. Even though the email address may be from a place where you are an account holder, it still may be a scam. Always call your contact with the company to validate the email and question why this information is needed.
• Watch out for phishing scams. Do you have an eBay account? Are you a member of PayPal? If so, you know that you frequently receive email notification in regards to special events and promotions and other informative messages from these organizations. Even if you are not a member or do not hold these accounts, you have probably seen a few emails in your inbox claiming that you need to update account information. Many times, these emails are fraudulent and are attempting to obtain information from you for possible identity theft. If you are unsure of the email, enter the site's main address (i.e. www.ebay.com) directly into your browser window and then speak with customer service in regards to your account. Never give out your usernames and passwords or other secure account information no matter how much the site looks like the real thing. When it doubt, investigate further.
• Do not fret because of a spoofing threat. If you have ever received a message from your email postmaster or system administrator informing you that john.doe@email.com does not exists and your email was not delivered but you do not know a john doe, you might have been spoofed. Not to worry. Many times, your email address has been generated by a skillful program or someone you know has been infected with a mass-mailing virus and your email address has been grabbed from their address book. Simply run a full virus scan and make sure any threat that is found is deleted. If it continues to happen even though your system remains clean, let those you email know that they may be infected by a virus.