work e mail

[tart1]

I have a problem with my work e mail. I have noticed in the last few days that a colleague has been accessing my e mail and sending mails from it after I have left work. She always signs off with her name in the mail but presumably people will see that it has come from my mail address and may think it has come from me.

I think I might be over-reacting but I am rather upset that she is doing this. I don't send/receive many personal mails at work but I still feel vulnerable and violated by someone else going into what might be personal or sensitive stuff. There is no password protection on our e mail - I tried to set a password up but this wasn't allowed.

I am a relative newcomer to the office/work/computer/email situation so I just wondered what the rules/etiquette is about this sort of thing. I feel that it is completely wrong to do what this person is doing and I myself would never do it to someone else.

Any advice before I tackle her tomorrow?? :hmm:

[Saab Dastard]

I have to admit that I find it highly unusual that this is possible in a work environment!

If the situation is as you say, it is as much an issue for the office / senior / IT management (as appropriate) to sort out.

Does this mean that you can access HR, Payroll, senior management email accounts? Do they have password protection? If so, then it is indeed possible!

SD

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!]

change your password

[Coconutty]

Tart,

Have you tried asking her not to ?

If that doesn't work you could always try sending a few messages from HER e-mail address and "forgetting" to sign them with your name - If she still doesn't get the message, try picking up her car keys next time she leaves them on the desk and tell her you're going for a spin, or if you really want to strike a nerve try using some of her make up without asking :E

... Or ( If your e-mail account is only accessible when you are logged on to the Network, or to a particular terminal, ) you could set up a screensaver password to lock your computer when it's left unattended ;)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d129/coconut11/Coconutty.jpg

[rotorcraig]

There is no password protection on our e mailThat sounds very unusual - what eMail system do they use?

Does she send eMail from your computer, or can she use your eMail from her computer?

If from yours, then either log off or <ctrl-alt-del> and lock the workstation before you go home.

RC

[airborne_artist]

Do you work in a small business with a fairly amateur approach to IT systems? If your colleague can use your email address then so can the cleaner, or the cleaner's stand-in.

I think it's an issue for the management of the business to understand that lax security could become a business issue, if for example, someone sent illegal porn from one of their addresses, which could result in a police investigation and seizure of the computers and servers.

Rather than having a row with the lady, take it up with the management, and point out the benefits of security.

Such security is easily available using Windows XP Pro, which has password security for individual accounts on one PC. It's basic stuff that could be set up in minutes by a user with the manual.

[tart1]

I will be mentioning it to her this morning. There won't be a row - that's not my style - but I do want to make it plain to her that it is not on.

4 of us share 2 computers and we do not have the benefit of password protection, but I would have thought that it was an etiquette thing as much as anything. It seems to be a very rude and disrespectful thing to do and I have never come across anything like it before. (The person in question is new to this department, having worked elsewhere in the business up till recently.)

Thanks for the advice guys! :)

[BombayDuck]

tart1 - if you're using MS Outlook or Outlook Express, then you can set identities up on the software. Click on "File" and you will see "manage Identities". Switch on password protection and set yourself a password.

Most importantly, while exiting Outlook, dont click on the Cross on the top right corner but go to File and "Exit and Log off identity".

If your colleague has an email ID of her own, set up a New identity and ask the resident IT boffin to fill out the settings on to that identity.