Modules >>
Electronic Communication and Computer Security

Prerequisites

Email

Students should have access to email either through UVic or one of the commercial Internet service providers. A UVic Education student with no email service set up yet can obtain a UVic email address by requesting a Netlink ID from the following website:

UVic Netlink
http://netlink.uvic.ca:880/

Outreach students will have a Netlink account set up for them at the time of registration.

Students can then either configure an email program like Eudora or Outlook to access their email or they can check email through their web browser using the UVic Webmail service:

UVic Webmail
http://webmail.uvic.ca/

Students are not required to use their UVic email account for this program, but can use their current email set-up, whether that is Hotmail, Telus, Shaw, etc.

Viewing Options

Throughout this program, you will need to be able to move back and forth between viewing this webpage and viewing another program or between viewing two browser windows. To learn more about navigating between windows on your computer, please visit the Navigation section on the Helpful Links page of this website. To go there, click on the "Helpful Links" button in the left menu bar and then click on the "Navigation" hyperlink or simply click here.

Furthermore, if you find that the text you are viewing shows up as too small or too large, you can change the way your browser displays the text on this page.  To do this, in the "View" menu of your browser, you should be able to find a command labeled "increase/decrease font," "text zoom," or "text size."  Depending on which browser you are using, you might have the option of selecting zoom in percent (i.e., 50%, 100%, 120%, etc.), preferred text size (smallest, smaller, medium, larger, largest), or by simply choosing "increase font" or "decrease font" a few times.

Is your registration confirmed?

Before you begin this program, be sure your application for registration has been approved. If you are not sure of your registration status, please check with the coordinator.  For more information on registration, please read the Intro section on this website.

Students who have registered in the program will be automatically subscribed to the "Comp-in-Ed" listserv. If you are not receiving any postings, please check your subscription with the coordinator. You should also take this time to log in to the WebBoard conference board to introduce yourself and familiarize yourself with this support system.

Introduction

Welcome to the first module of the program!  You will soon discover that each module is divided into the following sections:

• Prerequisites - what you need before you begin
• Introduction - an orientation to the module topic
• Objectives - what you can expect to learn from the module
• Lesson - contains the hyperlinks to each of the lessons in the module
• Assignment - what you are required to submit to complete the module
• Resources - a summary of links found in the lessons plus any additional resources that may prove helpful

During this program, you may encounter lessons that show screenshots of menus that look different from the ones on your computer. When this happens, take a step back at the meaning of a menu command.  If your menu does not show a command listed in the module, then try to find a command that has a similar meaning.  For example, "options" and "preferences" can be interchanged, as can "filter" and "message rules."  If you cannot find the substitute, then you can first explore your program's "Help" menu, solicit help on the WebBoard, or contact the instructor. When the lesson demands more exploration on your part, you will find that your understanding of the program will be strengthened than if you followed a step-by-step process. Be curious!

There are two parts to this module. First, you will be introduced to an email program and learn various procedures that will help to manage your email. Second, you will be provided an overview of security concerns associated with receiving email and being connected to the Internet. This module uses Eudora, Outlook Express, Hotmail, and UVic Webmail to demonstrate email program features. You are encouraged to use the email program or email service you use regularly as any of them can be used to complete this module.  Again, if you have any difficulty finding features, please use the WebBoard or contact compined@uvic.ca for help on how to meet the requirements.

Objectives

In this module, you will:

• configure your email program to your personal settings
• set up mailboxes, filters, an address book, nicknames, signatures
• use an e-mail program to send messages and attach computer files
• know how to back up your email messages and attachment folder
• understand viruses and how they might attack your computer
• be familiar with the purpose and importance of using anti-virus software
• be familiar with the purpose and importance of using a personal firewall

Lesson

Review the following sections by clicking on the links. Please follow the instructions within each section.

1. Email:

Configuring Email  Signature Files Folders & Mailboxes Filters Address Book & Nicknames Sending email & attaching files Backing-up emails & attachments

Click on these links to review each section

2. Computer Security:

Viruses and anti-virus software Personal firewall software

Click on these links to review each section

Assignment

You are asked to complete the following requirements in order to receive credit for this module. Some requirements will refer to work completed during the lesson section.

1. Create a word processing document.

   1. Name this document as follows:

      1. use the initials of *your* name followed by a short abbreviation of the module name. For example, Valerie Margit Irvine would name her assignment: VMIecomm.doc. 

      2. the document name should not exceed eight characters or contain any spaces

   2. In the body of this document, complete the following:

   1. Enter your full name
   2. Identify the email software and version you are using. You can check the version by going to the "Help" menu and selecting "About..."  If you are using an email service, please give the name of it (i.e., Hotmail, UVic Webmail, etc.)
   3. What is the difference between an email software program and an email service?
   4. In the lesson, you set up two nicknames. Answer the following:
      What were the nicknames and their email addresses?
      What does the nickname feature allow you to do?
   5. Name the folders and/or mailboxes you created.   
   6. Explain the purpose of using folders and mailboxes.
   7. In your own words, describe what filters do and give a description of the filters you created (i.e., what field did you search for, what address was used, where was the email being filtered to).
   8. Describe your current back-up procedures for your personal files.  I do not just mean your email files, but all important files on your computer.
   9. Provide the name of the anti-virus software and firewall software you are currently using.
   10. Were you using these programs before you started this program?
   11. How often do you download updates to your list of virus definitions?
   12. If you do not have any anti-virus or firewall software installed yet, explain what steps you plan to take to protect your computer (and other people's computers if you are downloading files and sending attachments to anyone).
   13. Inform me of any difficulties you encountered or any questions you may have. As you progress through this program, your feedback on each module or on the program in general is appreciated.

2. Compose an email message using the following instructions

1. Use a nickname to send the message to compined@uvic.ca
2. Include your personal email address in the "Cc" field to send a copy of the message to yourself
3. Include a personal signature in your email. Since I cannot tell on my end whether you typed your signature versus using the signature feature, please explain what your signature is supposed to look like in the body of your message, in addition to demonstrating it.
4. The subject line should be the initials of *your* name followed by a short abbreviation of the module name. For example, Valerie Margit Irvine would use the subject line: VMIecomm
5. Set the priority of this email to "Highest" (not available in Hotmail)
6. Attach the document from #1 to the email message.
7. In the body of the email, identify:
   1. word processing program you used to create the document
   2. the version of the word processing program
   3. the platform you used (Windows or Macintosh)

3. Send this message to receive credit for this module. You will receive a confirmation email in return.  Store this message to the appropriate mailbox.

Congratulations on completing the first module!

Resources

Email Software

Eudora (free for download in "Light" version)
http://www.eudora.com

Configuring Email

Configuring Outlook Express, Outlook 98, and Outlook 2000

How to Configure Outlook & Outlook Express for Windows 95/98/NT
http://helpdesk.uvic.ca/hownote/1999/ht99115.html

Configuring Eudora

Configuring Eudora 4.3.x for Windows (by the UVIC Computer Help Desk)
http://helpdesk.uvic.ca/hownote/2000/ht2000008.html

Configuring Eudora 3.x for Windows (by the UVIC Computer Help Desk)
http://helpdesk.uvic.ca/hownote/1997/ht97089.html

Configuring Eudora 3.x for Macintosh (by the UVIC Computer Help Desk)
http://helpdesk.uvic.ca/hownote/1997/ht97088.html

Email Services

UVic Webmail
http://webmail.uvic.ca/

Hotmail
http://www.hotmail.com

Shaw Cable
http://webmail.shaw.ca

Telus.net
http://www.telus.net/webmail.html

Netetiquette

"Netetiquette: Guidelines for Proper Behavior on the Internet" by Boston College:
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/tvp/IT/netiquette/netiquette.shtml

"The Net: User Guidelines and Netetiquette" by Arlene Rinaldi
http://www.fau.edu/netiquette/net/index.html

Anti-Virus Software

Norton
http://www.norton.com

McAfee
http://www.mcafee.com

Dr. Solomon
http://www.drsolomon.com/

Firewall Software

ZoneAlarm for Windows (free download for individual use)
http://www.zonelabs.com

Intego's Net Barrier for Macintosh
http://www.intego.com/

Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall
http://www.norton.com

Please email compined@uvic.ca to add a resource to this list.

Copyright © 2001-2002 Valerie Irvine. All rights reserved.
Revised: September 23, 2002.