Email hoaxes/scares often have some of the following characteristics:

• They describe the payload of a nasty virus. The descriptions are often quite extreme, outlining horrible scenarios of data loss.
• They use technical-sounding language to give the impression that the sender really knows what he is talking about. The name of a major company, like Microsoft or Symantec, might be thrown in to add weight to the “seriousness” of the warning.
• They use common, everyday language to make it seem as if someone “just like you” got hit by a nasty virus.
• They tell you to delete a specific file from your computer.
• They tell you to forward the message to everyone you know so they can protect themselves or so you can earn money.

If you ever receive a message like this, don’t forward or reply to it! You will simply extend the life of the hoax. Also, do not delete any files from your computers. If in doubt about the veracity of a particular message, do a Web search about it or contact Help Desk. Additionally, if a strange email message comes with an attachment that purports to help you clean a virus, never open it. It is likely that the attachment is a virus. Simply delete the message and attachment.

To read more about hoaxes, visit the Sophos hoax list.

See also: About viruses, Malware.

Viruses usually spread through email, though they can travel on floppy disks, CDs, or any other medium containing infected files. Beyond having up-to-date antivirus software, there isn’t much to do to avoid getting a virus from a floppy disk or CD. However, you can avoid getting viruses via email. If you get an email attachment from a strange address, simply delete the message and the attachment will go with it. If you get an unexpected attachment from someone you know, open it at your own risk. It’s a good idea to confirm with the sender that she actually sent you the attachment before opening it.

See also: Malware, Spam.

About Antivirus Software

The way that antivirus software protects your computer is by distinguishing between legitimate programs (e.g., the Windows operating system, Microsoft Word, and Firefox) and illegitimate programs (i.e., viruses). To make these distinctions, antivirus sofware relies on virus definitions. Since new viruses are created all the time, antivirus software manufacturers constantly update their definitions.

Implication for computer users: You’re only as safe as your latest definitions update. Since the existence of viruses is an unfortunate given, any data loss resulting from virus infection is the fault of the computer user. It is the user’s responsibility to download and install new virus definitions with some frequency (more often being better than less often). At the very least, you should update your definitions once per month.

SLC provides free antivirus software for Windows and for Mac OS X to qualifying members of the college community. Those in other groups may download and use Microsoft Security Essentials (for Windows only).

1. Login & Password
2. Subject Line & Keywords
3. Preferences: Disabling, Languages, Outlook
4. Blocked Mail
5. Spam: Guidelines,Senders, Blocking
6. More Info on PureMessage and Virus Protection
7. False Positve

1. Login & Password

   How do I login to PureMessage?

   Logon to mail.slc.edu
   Click “SPAM Quarantine”
   Type in your username (ex: jdoe@slc.edu)
   Type in your password
   Click Login

   I forgot my password. How do I login again?

   Click on the text “here” on the PureMessage page
   Type in your email address (ex: jdoe@slc.edu)
   Click Send Authorization
   Within 5 minutes you will receive a password.

   I’ve never logged in before; what is my password for PureMessage?

   Click on the text “here” on the PureMessage page
   Type in your email address (ex: jdoe@slc.edu)
   Click Send Authorization
   Within 5 minutes you will receive a password.

2. Subject Line & Keywords

   Some key words will trigger the spam filter

   Try to avoid using words like the following in your subject line: free, unsubscribe, subscribe, million dollars, etc.

3. Preferences: Disabling, Languages, Outlook

   Is PureMessage available in another language?

   PureMessage is available in the following languages: German, Spanish, French, Italian, and English.

   Click on “Options”
   Under the heading “Language Preferences,” click the drop down arrow
   Select the desired language.

   Can I use PureMessage within Outlook?

   Click “Help”
   Click “Mail Client Filters”

   Can I disable/turn off PureMessage?

   Click “Options”
   Click the check box next to “Disable all spam and offensive content blocking for my messages.”
   Click “Save”

4. Blocked Mail

   Where do I go to check my blocked mail (spam)?

   By default “Blocked Messages” will be highlighted when you login
   If it is not highlighted, click on “Blocked Messages”

5. Spam: Guidelines, Senders, Blocking

   How do I make sure email from someone is marked as spam?

   Email in PureMessage is already marked as spam.

   How long will spam be held in PureMessage?

   Blocked messages are automatically deleted after 14 days.

   Can I block email from someone, a web site, etc.?

   Click “Blocked Senders”
   Type in the email address of the sender to block
   Click “Add Sender”

   I’m going on vacation for longer than 14 days. What can I do to keep messages in PureMessage longer?

   Click on “Options”
   Under the heading “Hold Messages,” change the date below “Hold blocked messages 14 days after” to the date of your choice.

   How many email addresses/domains can I add to the blocked sender list?

   500. This includes a combination of domains and addresses or a list of addresses/domains.

6. More info on PureMessage and Virus Protection

   My question isn’t addressed here. Where can I find more information on PureMessage?

   Click “Help” while logged in to PureMessage.

   Will PureMessage help me get rid of viruses?

   PureMessage is a spam filtering tool provided by Sophos. It does not delete viruses. Please use Sophos Anti-Virus to ensure you are properly protected from viruses.

7. False Positives

   What is a false positive?

   When PureMessage blocks the delivery of legitimate email, this is a “false positive” result.

   How do I make sure email from someone isn’t marked as spam (false positive) again?

   Click “Blocked Messages”
   Click the check box next to the false positive
   Click “Deliver & Approve Sender”

   How do I move false positives out of PureMessage?

   Click on “Blocked Messages”
   Click the check box next to the false positive
   Click “Deliver Message”