Sending email is like sending a postcard to someone...anyone can read it

Sending email is like sending a postcard to someone. The mail carrier who picks up the postcard, the person who sorts the mail, the person who delivers the mail and anyone who sees the postcard lying around can read the contents. Email is not a secure method of communication. Most of us have no idea how to read an email being sent to someone but, there are a lot of tech savvy people who do and it isn't all that difficult. Someone wanting to steal your identify can simply wait for your email to pass by.

That means you shouldn't send confidential information via email. That includes:

• social security numbers
• bank account numbers
• credit card numbers
• any information that you want to keep confidential

Now that I've said that there are exceptions:

• GroupWise email sent within the Calvin GroupWise system is secure.
• There are ways to make an email secure. If you need to send confidential information via email please contact the HelpDesk at x6-8555 or helpdesk@calvin.edu