Frequently Asked Questions

About the FAQ

The below content is intended to be a helpful guide to the new BearMail at the University of Northern Colorado.  This new system will be available for use as of August 3, 2008, and will run in tandem with the current BearMail system to allow users to move over or save any information from the old system before it is shut down.

The hyperlinks are provided for ease of moving through the document to quickly access the information.

 

What is new about this BearMail?

One of the first changes you will see is the layout and options available in this new BearMail.  This new system will act more like Outlook than the old system, and it maintains the integrity of traditional Web-based email applications. 

Just like Outlook and most e-mail programs, there are several tools within the mailbox: Inbox, Drafts, Sent Items, Notes, Junk Mail, and Deleted Items.  There is also a breakout area for Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks.  Overall, this new system will improve student email ease of use and functionality.

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How do I log into the new BearMail?

The website used to access BearMail is http://bears.unco.edu.  The login ID is your Personal Digital Identity (PDID), followed by @bears.unco.edu (such as smit1234@bears.unco.edu).  The password is the same password used to access Ursa, Blackboard, etc.  More information click here.

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Can I access the old BearMail still?

For a short time the old BearMail will remain accessible, so that users can obtain their needed e-mails and contact information.

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Does my e-mail address change?

As of August 1, 2008, the new e-mail address will end in @bears.unco.edu, and any e-mail sent to @blue.unco.edu or @unco.edu will be forwarded for a short time to the new BearMail address.  Be sure to provide only the new e-mail address to those who need your BearMail contact information.

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What will happen to the e-mails in the old BearMail system?

These e-mails will not be automatically transferred to the new system.  Instead, the users will have to forward the e-mails to themselves if they wish to retain the e-mails.  The new e-mails will populate in the new BearMail system, regardless of the BearMail address used (old or new). More information click here .

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What will happen to the old BearMail user Contacts?

You will need to recreate your contacts in the new BearMail system.  If there is a large list, one of the fastest ways to summarize this information is to copy the list information in entirety into Excel and then copy the information into the individual contact record in the new BearMail. More information click here.

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Will I still be able to access BearMail through Ursa?

For a short time this function will not be available; however, the long term plan is to have this link remain functional for users wishing to access their BearMail account through Ursa.

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Can I automatically forward e-mails from BearMail to a different e-mail address?

The function of forwarding e-mails will not be available in this new BearMail system.  However, the new BearMail will function with other programs such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail, and MacMail.  Specifics on how to setup these programs can be found in the Support U article "Can I use e-mail software in conjuction with the new BearMail?", and additional support is available through the Technical Support Center (351-HELP, or at http://www.unco.edu/it/supportu.htm).

Experience has shown that e-mail messages automatically forwarded from BearMail to students’ accounts at Yahoo, Google, Hotmail and other third-party providers frequently are blocked by spam filters and students never see the messages. Additionally, e-mail will be one of several methods used to communicate critical information to members of the campus community in the event of a major emergency.  Keeping e-mails within UNC’s communication infrastructure greatly reduces the risk of students not receiving important information on topics ranging from the availability of electronic monthly bills and financial aid, to class cancellations and changes in assignments.

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What are the size limitations, and will I be warned when I am over limits?

You will still receive warnings when your account approaches its maximum quota, but because the quota will be significantly larger than it is in the current BearMail, you won’t receive warnings nearly as often.  The mailbox is allotted 10 GB of storage!  An easy way to manage this storage is to use BearDrive for all large file attachments.  To see more details about BearDrive, be sure to check out the BearDrive articles under BearDrive Support.

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Can I change my password through the BearMail system?

There is no function currently in place to process password changes in the BearMail system. Any link referring to changing a password does not currently function with the UNC network.  Please utilize Ursa for any login authentication modifications (details are found at http://www.unco.edu/it/supportu.htm, under Ursa Support/General Ursa Support, using Ursa Maintenance documentation and others as needed).

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How long will deleted items be retained before being removed from BearMail?

The deleted item retention period will be 14 days.  After that date the deleted items will not be recoverable.

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What is Spamming?

Spamming is sending out mass amounts of unsolicited email.  Spamming using UNC email accounts is against UNC's Email Procedures and repeated instances by a user will result in cancellation of their account.    

Additional unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to:

  • Using email for any purpose which violates federal or state laws.
  • Using email for commercial purposes.
  • Misrepresenting your identity or affiliation in email communication.
  • Sending harassing, intimidating, abusive or offensive material.
  • Using someone else's identity and password.
  • Causing congestion on the network by such things as the propagation of "chain letters," broadcasting inappropriate messages to lists or individuals, or excessive use of the shared data store of the email post office.

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What is Phishing?

Phishing is the act of attempting to fraudulently acquire sensitive personal information such as passwords and credit card details via deception by sending emails to potential victims that masquerade as being from an official-looking entity like a Bank or Credit Card provider.

Some of the latest Phishing scams to hit UNC have been:

Bank of Oklahoma

Subjects like:

Customer Alerting Service: Account confirmation required.

Unlook your Online Banking account

MBNA Internet Banking

Subjects like:

Security Notice #291240 MBNA Internet Banking account Update Necesary!

You will notice the misspellings like "Unlook" or "Necesary" and these are probably not because the spammers are stupid (which some may argue), they are usually purposely used to beat anti-spam filters looking for specific words. Eventually our SPAM filtering devices will tune to these new scams and block them, but spammers are continually updating their emails to temporarily beat filtering so it is up to the students to use common sense about the messages that do get through. A few tips to keep you from getting burned by these schemes:

NEVER give out personal data unless the contact has been initiated by you and do not trust any banking or financial requests for information from emails that solicit you for this no matter how legitimate they look.

ALWAYS make sure any online transactions involving your personal information or credit card information have a URL that begins with httpS - which means your data is traveling through an encrypted SSL tunnel over the internet and if it is intercepted by sniffing or otherwise - the culprits will not be able to read the data and get your information.

Links to Phishing information:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011400021033.aspx

http://www.antiphishing.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing

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Can I use e-mail software in conjunction with the new BearMail?

There are several programs which have compatibility with the Exchange Labs system, such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail, and MacMail.  For specifics on how to use these programs, please visit the Exchange Labs detailed setup instructions found at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/exchangelabshelp/bb880048.aspx, and use the instructions for connecting through the appropriate service.

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How will Barracuda work with the new BearMail?

BearMail will not be using the Barracuda system for spam filtering.  Instead, the new BearMail has a filtering engine run by Microsoft that will be similar to the @live environment, in that noted junk items will either be deleted or put into the Junk folder, and are controlled by the user.

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Will UNC support my Mobile Smartphone with connection to BearMail?

UNC will not support the Windows Mobile component of the new BearMail.  However, it is a function that is possible through the program itself, and details about its use can be found at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/exchangelabshelp/bb880048.aspx.

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Does my Calendar work for meeting appointments?

There is the ability within the calendar function of this new BearMail to schedule meetings with other users.  Specifics on the job aid for Calendar use can be found at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/exchangelabshelp/ms.exch.owap.calendarpremium.aspx.

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If I have issues with the system, how do I get support?

Contact the Technical Support Center at 970-351-HELP (351-4357), or submit an online ticket at http://www.unco.edu/it/supportu.htm. 

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