Virus Identification and Removal Service

Bruin Online now scans all email that passes through the mail.ucla.edu server for viruses and quarantines infected messages.

Why is BOL implementing virus protection on the server?

The number of computer virus infections has been steadily increasing over the past several years and is continuing to rise. Many computers do not have virus detection software or do not have the most recent security patches to prevent virus infection.

Who is eligible and how do I use this service?

All users of Bruin OnLine e-mail services are protected against viruses that may be attached to emails arriving at their @ucla.edu email accounts. Additionally, any mail sent with mail.ucla.edu as the outgoing (SMTP) server will be scanned for viruses as well.

How do I know if I am using mail.ucla.edu for incoming (POP) or outgoing (SMTP) mail servers?

If you are using BOL Webmail, you are automatically using mail.ucla.edu. If you are using an email program, please check in your account settings to see what email server you are using. All Bruin OnLine users should use mail.ucla.edu as both their incoming and outgoing email servers.

How does the anti-virus system work?

Any email that passes through the mail.ucla.edu server will pass through the virus detection software and be scanned for viruses. If an email message is found to be infected, the SMTP gateway will refuse to accept the email message, causing the remote system to generate a bounce. Non-infected messages will be delivered normally.

Do I still need an anti-virus program on my computer?

Yes. It is very important to have an anti-virus program on your computer. Viruses can enter your computer not only through email, but also through CDs, floppy disks, or via the Web. Using an anti-virus program will ensure that you have the best possible virus protection. We strongly recommend users to use Sophos antivirus, available for the UCLA community at: http://www.bol.ucl.edu/software/sophos/