Welcome to your mail.usf.edu email account powered by Google! Please save this message for future reference. We will also send out periodic updates with important information. You can also check out our blog at http://usg.blog.usf.edu for the latest updates. If you have questions that aren’t answered here, please send us an email or contact the Academic Computing Help Desk.

USF NetID
Mail.usf.edu Email accounts
Blog@USF
Myweb.usf.edu
Computer Security & USF Policies

What is a NetID?

Your USF NetID (Network ID) is used for access to many of the computer systems at USF. You’ll only have to remember one username and password to access all of the NetID applications. Some of the applications that already use the NetID system:
  • Mail.usf.edu Email accounts
  • Myweb.usf.edu web-hosting accounts
  • my.usf.edu - The on-line courseware system for USF
  • Computer labs throughout USF’s four campuses
  • blog@USF - USF’s blogging system
The number of applications using the NetID system is increasing all the time. Check http://usg.blog.usf.edu for an updated list of NetID applications

What is my NetID?

Your USF NetID is #NETID#

What is my Email address?

Your email address is #NETID#@mail.usf.edu.

How do I send and receive Email?

Mail.usf.edu accounts are powered by Google, so they are virtually identical to any Gmail account you may have used in the past. To access your account, go to https://mail.usf.edu and select the Google Apps for USF icon. In addition to working with Email, there are many other features available:
  • Google Talk — Free text and voice calling around the world.
  • Google Calendar — Coordinate meetings and school events with sharable calendars.
  • Google Docs — Create, share and collaborate on documents in real-time.
  • More applications are being added all the time!
The Academic Computing Help Desk has written a User’s Guide that contains details on how to use Google Apps for USF.

Can I access my mail.usf.edu account with a desktop Email client?

Yes, mail.usf.edu supports all POP3S or IMAPS-compliant Email clients, such as Outlook, Mail.App, and Thunderbird. Before using an external client, your need to enable POP or IMAP for your account. The instructions for POP are here and IMAP directions are here. We highly recommend using IMAP over POP There are four pieces of information you will need to know to configure your Email client:
  • Username: #NETID#@mail.usf.edu
  • Password
  • POP3S/IMAP Server: pop.gmail.com -or- imap.gmail.com
  • SMTP server:smtp.gmail.com

How much mail can I store in my mail.usf.edu account?

Currently there is a 6GB limit on your mail account, but Google is constantly increasing this limit.

I already have an Email address outside of USF. Can I use that address instead of my mail.usf.edu address?

Yes, your USF mail can be forwarded to another Email address. Please note that your mail.usf.edu address is your Official USF address, any correspondence from USF will be sent to that address. If your external Email address changes, you are responsible for updated your Email forwarding information. Instructions are

What is blog@USF?

blog@USF is a new system that allows you to keep a blog (web log) and a digital photo album. To activate your blog, go to http://blog.usf.edu and click on “Create a blog” For details on how to use blog@USF, check out our FAQ

I have more questions about blog@USF.

First, check the FAQ. If that doesn’t have the answer, send us an Email

What is myweb.usf.edu? What is the URL for my account?

Myweb.usf.edu is the student webserver for USF. Every mail.usf.edu email account has a corresponding myweb.usf.edu account. A sample webpage was placed into your account when it was created. The URL to access this account is http://#NETID.myweb.usf.edu

How much storage is provided with my myweb.usf.edu account?

Each myweb.usf.edu account has 200MB of available storage. If more storage is needed for a academic project, please have your faculty sponsor contact USG at usg@mailman.acomp.usf.edu

What web technologies are available for my webpage at myweb.usf.edu?

Myweb.usf.edu accounts can take advantage of the following technologies:
  • PHP 4
  • PERL
  • MySQL (requires a blog.usf.edu account)

How can I upload content to my account on myweb.usf.edu?

You can access your myweb.usf.edu account through SSH. The Academic Computing HelpDesk has created a User’s Guide for installing and using SSH on Windows.

Are there any guides available for creating webpages?

Yes, a (very) short list of resources is:

I’m worried about viruses on my computer, does USF offer any virus-scanning software?

Yes, USF has negotiated a site-license for McAfee VirusScan. This license entitles all current USF students, staff, and faulty to use VirusScan. To download the software, please visit the USF Security website

What about ’spyware’? What is it and how can I get rid of it?

From Wikipedia:

Strictly defined, spyware consists of computer software that gathers and reports information about a computer user without the user’s knowledge or consent. More broadly, the term spyware can refer to a wide range of related malware products which fall outside the strict definition of spyware. These products perform many different functions, including the delivery of unsolicited advertising (pop-up ads in particular), harvesting private information, re-routing page requests to fraudulently claim commercial site referral fees, and installing stealth phone dialers.

 

To avoid spyware issues altogether, networked computer users should refrain from installing any piece of software that seems too good to be true, such as bogus “free” music downloads and the like.

 

To remove spyware once it has been installed on your computer, please use one (or more) of these programs:

What else can I do to protect my computer?

The most important thing to do is to keep your computer updated. When you update your Windows computer, you must get the Windows updates and check for any Microsoft Office updates. It is important to note that not only are the critical patches required; you might have to update the others as well. Remember: Hackers already know how to utilize these holes within your programs to get into the computer. See the link below for examples on how to patch your computer. http://www.its.monash.edu.au/security/home/patching.html

 

Patch Sites:

Where can I read the text of the USF Computer Account Agreement?

The text of the USF Computer Account Agreement is available here

What other policies does USF have in place in regards to computing?

Official USF Policies

 

This site lists the official USF policies. Individual departments are allowed to create and maintain their own policies as long as they don’t overstep boundaries put in place by these policies.

 

Draft Policies

 

These draft policies are currently in the process of revision. They are either brand new policies, expanding to areas currently untouched by official policies, or they are updated versions of existing policies.

I have more questions about computer security or USF policies, who can I contact?

The USF compuer security website at http://security.usf.edu contains much more information about the subject. You can also email the USF Incident Response Team at irt@mailman.acomp.usf.edu.