What kind of email virus protection does UC Davis offer email users?
The virus filtering software detects and deletes known viruses attached to all the incoming and outgoing email messages that are processed through the central campus email servers.

Who benefits from this email filtering service?
All those who send or receive email through the central campus email servers will benefit from this service.

Why is email virus filtering necessary?
Not only are viruses annoying, but they can corrupt essential data stored on your computer, thereby compromising the integrity of your computing system. Since 87% of viruses originate or transmit themselves via email, the campus considers email filtering an important part of computer security.

How does the virus filtering system work? What do I have to do?
As an email user, you don't have to do anything to benefit from this service. Here's how it works: When you send an email, it always travels through an email server where it is routed to the recipient (the person to whom you're sending it). The servers with this new filtering software will act as "checkpoints," searching all incoming and outgoing email messages for known viruses.

What happens if I send a virus-infected email message?
If a known virus is attached to your message, the software on the server will detect it and delete it, protecting the recipient of your message from receiving the virus. As the sender of the infected message, you will receive a short message notifying you of the virus attached to your outgoing message.

What should I do if I get a notification message that I sent a virus-infected email?

• Be aware that the message and any attachment in question will not have been sent to the intended recipient.
• While the virus infection will be removed from the email, the infected computer from which the email originated will continue to be infected until virus removal efforts are complete. Check for virus conditions on your computer by running anti-virus software.
• Since certain viruses are clever enough to forge sender names, you might not actually have a virus on your computer. Contact IT Express (754-HELP) or your department's TSC for advice.

How do I know if my email goes through the central campus servers where this virus-scanning occurs?
If you have been receiving email at an "@ucdavis.edu" address, you will automatically benefit from this filtering service. If you receive email at an address that contains the name of a department (such as "@dept.ucdavis.edu"), your email processes through a separate department server.

My email doesn't go through the central campus servers. How do I find out what kind of protection my department email server provides me?
Contact your department's Technology Support Coordinator. If you don't know who your TSC is, visit the TSC directory to find out.

What else can I do to keep my personal computer virus-free?
The email filtering system will catch viruses in your email, but it is up to you to make sure your computer is protected. The best way to do this is to:

• Configure your computer to seek virus definition updates from your anti-virus software vendor on a daily basis. For more advice, contact IT Express at (530)754-HELP.
• Not open any attachment to an email that has a suspicious subject line, file name, or message. Remember: some viruses can forge themselves to appear as if they are from someone you know; therefore, the "from" line alone cannot be trusted.