Duke OIT - NetID Email FAQ

One of the access privileges you have with your NetID is an email account (for example, your NetID@duke.edu). Below are some frequently asked questions about NetID email accounts.

How do I check my NetID email account?

The easiest and quickest way to check your NetID email account is via Duke WebMail (webmail.duke.edu). If you would like to use a mail client such as Mac OS X Mail or Thunderbird to check your NetID email account, visit our Secure Email Setup Web page for configuration instructions. We also have How-Tos for Duke WebMail, Thunderbird, Mac OS X Mail, Pine and Mulberry.


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How do I manage my NetID email account quota?

To check or increase your NetID email account mail quota you can visit Online@Duke. In the Email Services section, click on Check or increase your mail quota. If you are using more than 94 percent of your quota, you can increase your quota to the next limit. You also can check your mail quota if you are using Duke WebMail. Your mail quota is displayed just below the task bar in a row titled Quota Status.

Some things to remember about quotas:

  • The size of messages matters more than the number of messages. We recommend putting the messages in order by size. If you have large attachments, save them locally and delete them from your mailbox.
  • All the folders you have created on the server count toward your quota. Sent mail, junk mail, trash and others do count. Be sure you clear them out regularly.
  • Duke WebMail allows you to hide the deleted messages without actually taking them off your account. We recommend clicking on the Purge Deleted option to be sure they are cleared from your account. Or, if you have a trash folder set up, visit Options, then Deleting and Moving Messages. Click on Empty Trash to delete the messages so they no longer count toward your quota.
  • If you are using an email client, you maybe deleting the messages from the client itself but not from the server. In most mail clients you either have to empty the trash or purge the messages to completely remove them from the mail server.

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How do I set a vacation message or forwarding on my NetID email account?

The Online@Duke Web page allows you to manage many of your electronic services here at Duke, including your NetID email account. By visiting the Email Services section of Online@Duke you can check your mail quota, set a vacation message, start forwarding on your account, set privacy preferences, request a change to your email alias, and establish spam filters.


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How do I set spam filters on my NetID email account?

The Online@Duke Web page allows you to set spam filters on your NetID email account. In the Email Services section, select Filter your email. Under Your Current Mail Filtering Settings header there are three categories and an Action pull-down menu for each of them. 

Categories: 

  • spam_high: These are messages the mail server has identified as having a high level of probability that the message is spam.
  • spam_medium: These are message the mail server has identified as having a medium level of probability that the message is spam.
  • virusrecip: These are messages the mail server blocked because the message contained a virus.

Action:

  • deliver: By selecting this option, email will be delivered to your inbox, even if the mail server marks it as being spam or as containing a virus.
  • discard: By selecting this option, email will be discarded at the server level and will not reach your account.
  • file: By selecting this option, a junkmail folder will be created on your account and the messages will be delivered to that junkmail folder. NOTE: You must check this folder regularly and clean it out so it does not  affect your mail quota.

This page also has an option to block mail based on the sender's address.


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What is an alias and how does it differ from my NetID email account?

An email alias is a convenient email address based on your name (for example, first.last@duke.edu). Email sent to your alias is routed to the Duke mailbox that you designate in your request for an alias (such as your NetID email account). Mail sent to your alias goes to the same place as mail sent to your non-alias address. You only need to check your regular mailbox to read email sent to your alias. The alias isn't a new mailbox, it's just an address that's easy for people to remember.

For more information, visit our Email alias information page. 


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I'm leaving Duke. What's going to happen to my NetID and email account?

Visit our Alumni / Employee Email Accounts page to find out what to do when you leave Duke.


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Where can I find more information about NetID email accounts?

Please visit our email information page, contact the OIT Service Desk via Web submittal, or call (919) 684-2200.


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