5.1 Safe practice relating to the use of ICT for communication

Table of Contents

1. Using ICT for communication
   1. Electronic mail
   2. Setting up e-mail accounts
   3. Free e-mail services
   4. Sending and receiving e-mails
   5. Using attached files
   6. Size of attached files
   7. Using zipped files
   8. Virus checking
   9. Implementing virus checking
   10. Anti-virus software
   11. Managing e-mails
   12. E-mail folders
   13. Combating Spam
   14. E-mail etiquette
   15. Netiquette
   16. Using news groups
   17. E-mailing multiple recipients
   18. Closing an e-mail account
   19. Using chat rooms
   20. Acceptable practice in chat rooms
   21. More about chat rooms
   22. Secure servers
   23. Scanning and saving images

Using ICT for communication

This section relates to supporting clients in using ICT safely for communication purposes, within the constraints of current legislation. Clients should already possess basic ICT skills, such as simple word processing and the ability to navigate the Internet using a web browser. You should also establish the client's communication needs, e.g. do they need e-mail for personal or work-related correspondence, in order to assist in the selection of a suitable e-mail service.

The use of e-mail has exploded in recent years, especially since the fall in prices of home PCs and introduction of free Internet access in libraries and schools. There are many advantages:

• the speed of delivery
• the ability to send to multiple recipients
• the flexibility of using web-based e-mail accounts for sending e-mails for various locations
• the ability to attach other types of files, such as images.

Let's take a closer look at e-mail ...