DukeMail

E-mail is an indispensable communication tool at Duke. All students, as well as faculty and staff in departments that use DukeMail, are provided with an initial 1 GB of e-mail storage space on the Duke network, which is backed up daily. If you accidentally delete or lose some of your e-mail, the OIT Service Desk may be able to recover it. Your quota can be increased if necessary.

Maintaining your account

You must perform maintenance on your e-mail account to keep it running smoothly. These tips can help keep your account in good working order: 

  • Do not open e-mail from an unknown source. Delete the message! By not opening these messages and keeping your anti-virus software up-to-date, you minimize the chances of a virus infecting your computer.
  • Check your mail quota regularly to ensure you don't exceed your limit. Plain text emails take up very little space, but mail attachments (photos, etc.) can take up quite a bit. Save attachments to your hard drive or other storage device to save space on your e-mail account.
  • Your sent-mail folder counts toward your quota. If you save copies of the e-mails you send, check your sent-mail folder regularly and delete messages you no longer need.
  • When you approach your quota, OIT will send you a warning message. The e-mail will include instructions on how to increase your quota. It takes just a minute, and following the instructions may mean the difference between getting all your e-mail or losing an important document.

Preventing spam

Spam is unsolicited commercial e-mail. To help prevent spam:

  • Set up our built-in spam filters by going to Online@Duke, and clicking on the Filter Your E-mail link.
  • Never respond to spam. This only confirms that your e-mail address is valid, and you're likely to get even more.
  • Do not post your e-mail address on your Web page.
  • Use a second e-mail address to sign up for non-Duke newsgroups and mailing lists or to make purchases on the Web. You can sign up for free e-mail service through various providers, including Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo.
  • Do not give out your e-mail address without knowing how it will be used.

Using an e-mail alias

An e-mail alias is a convenient e-mail address based on your name (for example, first.last@duke.edu). The alias is not a new mailbox, it is just an address that is easy for people to remember. You may have had an alias created for you already, but it can be changed. E-mail sent to your alias is routed to the Duke mailbox you designate.

Using Duke WebMail

Duke recommends that students use WebMail for e-mail. Use your NetID and password to log into Duke WebMail or the Duke WebMail Classic.

WebMail How-to Guide

WebMail Classic How-to Guide

Using an IMAP mail client

If you prefer to use an IMAP mail client, please visit the Securing Your E-mail Web page for instructions.

Using Pine

If you prefer a Unix environment, you can use Pine for e-mail.

Pine How-to Guide

Find out more 

For more information, please visit our E-mail FAQ page.