Tag: GatorMail

Decluttering Your GatorMail Inbox

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GatorMail is the University of Florida’s free email and collaboration tool available to faculty, students, and staff. GatorMail is the most secure, convenient way to send and receive emails while you’re a part of the UF community.

Although UF’s Information Security Office employs advanced technologies that block hundreds of millions of malicious external emails each year, some spam, junk, and phishing emails still can make their way into your inbox. It can be more challenging to filter out phishing emails, especially spear phishing messages tailored specifically to the recipient. If you ever receive a suspected phishing email in your GatorMail, report it directly to UF’s Information Security Office by using the Phish Alert Button.

GatorMail’s junk settings can help keep your inbox virtually free of unsolicited messages. Did you know you can report junk, block specific senders and domains, and add filters to your GatorMail? Microsoft Outlook also offers the Clean Up Conversation tool to reduce the number of redundant messages in your inbox. To help prevent spam, it’s not recommended to use your UF email address for third-party accounts and listservs.

Visit https://www.mail.ufl.edu/managing-email/securing-gatormail/ to review UFIT’s email safety tips, including steps to report spam and GatorMail’s email security policies. And, if you need any assistance setting up a GatorMail inbox rule, just stop by the UFIT Help Desk at 132 Hub, across from the Starbucks.

Prepare to Leave UF’s GatorCloud Environment

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Commencement is around the corner, which means graduating Gators should prepare for life after college. For those graduating or not continuing to take classes at UF following the spring 2024 term, Gators should prepare to lose access to multiple digital services. Review the following list of resources to make the appropriate arrangements:

GatorMail: Your UF email account will be deactivated 365 days after graduation or 365 days since last being registered for a class. If you have signed up for any third-party services (such as Instagram or Spotify) using your GatorMail email credentials, change your login and account recovery information on those accounts before you get locked out. Also, forward any important attachments or information you may have kept in your GatorMail to another email account or storage option.

GatorCloud: Apps and files in your GatorCloud, including Office 365 and Google Suite, are accessible up to 365 days after graduation. Plan ahead by transferring all files to a separate cloud storage and downloading all ongoing projects saved on a GatorCloud application to another location.

UFApps: Access to UFApps is deactivated once you are no longer a student. Allot time to go through UFApps and transfer any useful coursework files and unfinished projects you want to keep to a personal storage option.

If you have any account questions or need assistance before saying goodbye to the university’s digital environment, please contact the UFIT Help Desk by calling 352-392-HELP/4357, or visiting in person at 132 Hub (across from the Starbucks.).

The Institutional Impacts of a Cyberattack

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Higher education is facing an exponentially growing threat: Cyberattacks. Check Point Software reports educational institutions experienced an average of 2,507 cyberattack attempts per institution per week in the first three months of 2023 alone! Universities and colleges are at a high risk of suffering a data breach or a ransomware attack because the amount and types of data created and stored is extremely valuable to cybercriminals–data like student records, banking information, protected health information, and research data. Restricted data falling into the wrong hands can be devastating for UF, its constituents, to university business partnerships, and for funding from federal and state agencies. The welfare of the campus community and even our recruitment capabilities are all on the line.

Information security is our shared responsibility! Faculty, students, and staff must all be aware of what’s at stake, and do their part to help protect UF from cyberattacks. According to a 2023 IBM Security report, data breaches initiated through compromised credentials (such as GatorLink login information) take the longest for institutions to resolve and can be incredibly costly. Help prevent data breaches by practicing caution when opening any email received in your GatorMail marked [EXTERNAL EMAIL]. These emails come from outside the UF organization and could potentially be phishing attempts. Pay close attention to any email requesting your GatorLink login or other personally identifiable information, and report suspicious messages directly to UFIT with the phish alert report button in the top right corner of your GatorMail.

UFIT’s Information Security Office’s website has recently refreshed its online presence with new resources. Take some time to visit https://security.ufl.edu/protect-yourself/social-engineering/ and learn about different types of cyberattacks and some best practices for protecting yourself…and UF.

Email Encryption Options in GatorMail

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GatorMail’s security features like the phish alert button, spam folder, and email encryption help protect users from cyberthreats and provide a secure email experience. GatorMail email encryption is a proactive way to require authentication, protecting sensitive or restricted information from being seen by unauthorized viewers. Note that encryption options are only available for UF community members who have the Outlook desktop app or its web client version run from a computer. Neither Outlook’s mobile client or the web version when being used on a mobile device offer the encryption options.

GatorMail offers four encryption options:
● Encrypt Only: Encrypts email contents and may require authentication to read
● Do Not Forward: Prevents recipients from forwarding the email
● UF Confidential: Allows recipients to modify content but blocks copy/print privileges
● UF Confidential – View Only: Read-only permission for the recipients

UFIT has screen captures showing step-by-step visuals for encrypting emails. Encrypting an email means its contents are only readable by the person you sent it to, and cannot be intercepted. Faculty and staff who would like assistance with GatorMail are welcome to call (352-392-HELP/4357), email, or visit (132 Hub) the UFIT Help Desk.

What Every Entering Gator Should Know

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Welcome, new Gators! We know that adjusting to campus life is challenging, and it takes time. We have resources to facilitate your smooth transition before classes begin.

Looking for technical, academic, or administrative systems support? The UF Computing Help Desk can answer your questions regarding UF systems and services, including GatorMail, Canvas, eduroam, and UF’s VPN. Connect with the Help Desk by calling 352-392-HELP/4357, visiting 132 Hub (located across from the Starbucks), or submitting a ticket.

Use some time before the start of classes to watch UFIT’s Gator Students Playlist. Learn to use several UF tech services and steps to stay cybersafe. Your emotional and physical safety matters and yeah, UF has an app for that. Or two! Download the GatorSafe and the Whole Gator apps. GatorSafe allows you to view transportation information on SNAP, UF’s nighttime shuttle, and RTS, the city’s bus service. You can also get immediately connected to UF’s Police. The Whole Gator app provides wellness and mental health resources, recreation opportunities, and more. UF also provides an online campus map, useful for locating class locations and computer labs before the semester begins. UFIT is here for you, Gators! Let us know how we can help!

Quick Tutorials for UF Email, Wi-Fi

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UFIT’s YouTube channel is robust with information and how-to tips on a variety of topics. Since two of the most popular reasons for contacting the UF Computing Help Desk are UF email (GatorMail) and Wi-Fi (eduroam), we’ve curated some of the videos and online documentation available on these topics. So, while you are preparing to teach a class, taking a study break, or waiting for an RTS bus, watch a video or review a how-to doc. And remember, if you ever need assistance with GatorMail or connecting to UF’s eduroam network, just call, visit, or email the IT Help Desk. The Help Desk is available seven days a week!

Getting UF Email (GatorMail) on Your Phone:
https://www.mail.ufl.edu/managing-email/connecting-to-email/

Eduroam — UF’s Campus Wireless Network:
https://youtu.be/94qJtDkxZ1I

Adding a Device to Your Multi-Factor Authentication Profile:
https://youtu.be/1S1y4FzWUZo

Why You Shouldn’t Use GatorMail for External-to-UF (3rd Party) Accounts:
https://youtu.be/iOpwDHpIwGI

Using UF’s GatorMail Phish Alert Button:
https://youtu.be/m5kBbS4_tH8

Setting Up Wi-Fi on your iPhone:
https://youtu.be/kiAlsvQrVFo

Ten IT Services for Undergrads

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There’s a lot to learn during your first semester, from where classes are to managing e-Learning assignments. Technology enables living and learning at UF, and UFIT is here to support your academic journey. While you’ll discover more over the next few years, here are 10 IT services to discover now to help maximize your UF experience.

Anyone with questions about these services may contact the UF Computing Help Desk (352-392-HELP/4357, helpdesk@ufl.edu, and HUB first floor).

1. UF Computing Help Desk: Speaking of getting help from the Help Desk, the staff have you covered for all things technical at UF. There are self-help resources on their website and have 24/7 assistance for things like password resets.
2. Canvas: UF’s e-Learning platform where you access quizzes, assignments, and more.
3. ONE.UF: The campus portal to register for classes, viewing and ordering transcripts, and resources like phishing training.
4. GatorMail: UF’s official email service for contacting instructors, administrative staff, and fellow students.
5. Eduroam: A secure wireless network for on- and off-campus connectivity. Protect yourself and UF, Gators! Stay on secure wireless.
6. Discounted Software: Learn what software packages Gators can purchase at a discount.
7. UFApps: A collection of more than 190 applications available 24/7 FREE for students.
8. GatorCloud: UF’s cloud-based collaboration with high volume storage options.
9. LinkedIn Learning: UFIT underwrites the cost of membership for Gators to access 15,000+ courses for FREE.
10. Mobile Printing: Learn how to print on the go from over 50 campus locations.