Skip to main content
Computing at Cornell • CIT Contact Center (HelpDesk)

Privacy tips for e-mail and newsgroups

Think before you click:

  • Don't forward chain or virus e-mail. It violates Cornell policy. Chain mail is any message designed to be forwarded to other people.

    Chain mail might make a plea to grant a sick child's wish, or claim that a company is donating money each time the message is forwarded. The first is usually fictional, and the second is technically impossible. If in doubt, check Vmyths.com or HoaxBusters.

  • You can't control what happens to your messages after you send them. Don't send messages that could later embarrass you, cause you harm, bring unwanted attention, or even be subpoenaed. Anyone can forward your messages anywhere. Also, many services have long-term, searchable message archives.

  • Practice good netiquette. To brush up on your Internet social grades, see Etiquette in the Electronic World.

Avoid spam (junk mail):

Cornell blocks as much spam as it can without hindering legitimate communications. But there are things you can do, too.

  • When you receive spam, delete it. Never click on any web links or open attachments associated with spam. If you're given the "option" to remove your address, don't do it unless you're certain the organization is reputable. More often, this is just a way to verify that your address is still actively used and therefore more valuable.

  • Create filters in your e-mail program (for example, Eudora filters) to automatically delete messages with certain subject lines.

  • Use spam filtering software if available. On Cornell's central mail servers, probable spam is marked with a "PMX" label by the PureMessage filtering software; you can create your own e-mail filters to automatically discard PMX-flagged messages or sort them into a separate mailbox.

  • "Free" e-mail services usually mean lots of spam. If you choose to use them, be forewarned.

  • Many people like to have a separate e-mail address for spam-prone transactions like online ordering or free newsletters. That way all the spam goes to the separate address, and your main e-mail address can stay relatively spam-free.

  • If you post to newsgroups, make your address worthless by using your newsreader's settings to add something like "-nospam" to your e-mail address.

More privacy tips: