@alumni.utexas.net FAQ

• What is email forwarding?
• Does email forwarding store my messages?
• I already have another email address.
• Why should I use the Texas Ex email forwarding service?
• Can I use Email Forwarding if I don't have an email account?
• Can other members of my family use this service?
• How do I set the return email address to my @alumni.utexas.net Email Forwarding email address?
• SPAM: What is spam?
• Does Email Forwarding filter out junk email/Spam?
• Do the Texas Exes sell or release my email to companies, political campaigns, or individuals outside the UT community?
• How did spammers get my email address?
• Is it a good idea to "unsubscribe" or "reply to remove"?

Q: What is email forwarding?
A: Email forwarding is a free service offered to UT graduates or Texas Ex Members. You are able to choose a unique email alias with the alumni.utexas.net domain. Messages are forwarded to your destination email address of choice.

Q: Does email forwarding store my messages?
A: No. This service forwards emails from your internet service provider email account or your personal email account.

Q: I already have another email address. Why should I use the Texas Exes email address and forwarding service?
A: We’re proud to offer you this service so you, in turn, can show off your UT pride. When you move, travel, change jobs, or change ISPs, your email account will likely change. By using Email Forwarding, you can simply login to your account and update your forwarding address online. You no longer have to notify everyone of your email address change, nor will you ever miss an email again.

Q: Can I use Email Forwarding if I don't have an email account?
A: Because Email Forwarding is only an email forwarding service, it has to work with an email account. You cannot use Email Forwarding if you don't have an email account to which email can be forwarded. There are many free email providers on the Web, such as www.gmail.com, www.yahoo.com, www.aol.com, www.hotmail.com

Q: Can other members of my family use this service?
A: If your spouse is a UT graduate or member of the Texas Exes, he or she will be eligible for an email forwarding account.

Q: How do I set the return email address to my @alumni.utexas.net Email Forwarding email address?
A: You will need to open the software you use for your email and look for a place to set your return or "reply to" address. This differs between email programs, but is typically found under menu items called Options, Preferences, or Tools. Or you can consult the program's Help directory to get specific directions.

SPAM:

Q: What is spam?
A: Unsolicited email earned the name "spam" because it resembled a Monty Python skit where a chorus of Vikings drowned out other sounds by singing "spam, spam, spam." *
Early digital marketing pioneers contend that spam is actually an acronym for Simultaneously Posted Advertising Message. The first spam email may have been sent in 1978 by a Digital Equipment Corporation salesperson to announce a product presentation. Source: The New York Times, February 9, 2003. **
* Internal Yahoo! data based on 28,000 Yahoo! Mail survey respondents, August 2003
** Harris Interactive Survey, September 2003 (source http://antispam.yahoo.com/funfacts)

Q: Does Email Forwarding filter out junk email/spam?
A: Yes, the Texas Ex server uses top of the line anti-spam software.

Q: Do the Texas Exes sell or release my email to companies, political campaigns, or individuals outside the UT community?
A: No. Your email is kept private.

Q: How did spammers get my email address?
A: It is difficult to know exactly how people who send unsolicited email collect addresses. There are many different techniques. Popular methods include: harvesting addresses from chat rooms, blogs, and Web pages. Many companies and individuals who spam use "bots," automated programs that look through various kinds of Web traffic to harvest email addresses. Unfortunately, if your email address is listed publicly on a Web page, it is very easy for the spammers to get it.
Spammers also get addresses by via "Dictionary Attacks," mailing to common names or common words used in email addresses, for example, BEVO2007@universitydomain.edu or accounting@company.com. They may also keep databases by known domain names (like "utexas.edu") constantly probing that domain for real email addresses. You can tell that you've received a Dictionary Attack email because you will be cc'ed with email address names similar to your own.
For more information on common spam tricks, please visit: http://antispam.yahoo.com/tips#t1

Q: Is it a good idea to "unsubscribe" or "reply to remove"?
A: In the case of bulk or unsolicited commercial email, it may be a bad idea to respond to the email at all. Asking to be removed from a list lets the spammer know your email address is a legitimate one and may, in fact, add you to a database. You should not even open suspected spam mail! You should report the message as spam, if such a feature exists within your email tool, and delete it.

If you have more questions, please contact onlineservices@alumni.utexas.edu or call 512-471-8068