In an attempt to reduce phishing and spam threats, beginning in February 2024, Google will implement new email security checks and adjust the way emails are accepted. Once Google turns on these additional security checks, any mail that does not meet its new standards will likely be sent directly to Spam folders. See Google’s announcement and their further guidance / FAQ for more details.
Other mail services, including Yahoo and AOL, are making similar changes, but their time frames are not yet known.
This will not impact most daily communications sent from individuals at Case Western Reserve, but will affect those who send large numbers of emails to groups or large lists of people—for example, those using outside mailing services such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact or other systems.
In addition, any service that sends automated emails—such as Canvas or even an online form—is affected.
What does this mean if:
I send/receive email via webmail.case.edu or an email client like Thunderbird?
If you use webmail.case.edu (aka CWRU’s version of Gmail) or an app such as Thunderbird that is configured to use Google’s built-in connector, your mail should not be impacted by these changes if your app is properly configured. Please see the Google Mail Authentication Change FAQ to ensure your email client is properly configured.
I use a third-party email service like Mailchimp or Constant Contact and/or have automated emails set up through a third-party system?
If you or your department use a service to send email for university business, you will need to verify that the service or application follows Google’s email sender guidelines so it continues to work properly after the upcoming changes.
These services may be mail hosting services like Mailchimp or Constant Contact or any other service that can send mail out with a From address of @case.edu or @cwru.edu (example: Automated messages that come from filling out forms or when an action is taken, such as registering for an event or making a purchase).
Third-party service providers that do not follow Google’s email sender guidelines will find that the emails they send are quarantined or rejected by Google and other major internet service providers. If you use an email service that does not follow Google’s new email sender guidelines, your ability to ensure business continuity will be affected.
To find out if the service you use is compliant, contact the service provider (e.g., Mailchimp) and ask them to verify compliance with these guidelines in writing. (As a starting point, you may want to refer them to Google’s email sender guidelines and note that Google’s changes take place in February of next year.)
The outside email providers will need to address any issues themselves; it is not within the university’s purview to fix these issues.
See the university’s Google Mail Authentication Change FAQ for more information.
I send/receive email using my own mail server?
If you run your own mail server, you are responsible for making it compliant. Please refer to Google’s guidelines for support.
For assistance with any technology product or service at Case Western Reserve University, contact the University Technology Service Desk at help@case.edu, 216.368.HELP (4357) or visit help.case.edu.