Mail Access FAQ

Where can I access my emails on the Web Portal?

Will my mailbox become less secure?

No. The Virtual Assistant acts exactly as if you were using a computer to access your mailbox over the internet. If you use Google or Microsoft mail systems, the Virtual Assistant will use temporary access tokens that you grant and revoke anytime you want. For other mail systems, the Virtual Assistant only uses your encrypted credentials to access your emails. The Virtual Assistant service implements strict security procedures to protect your privacy. All personal data is encrypted before being saved or communicated over public networks. The Virtual Assistant service uses the most trusted SSL certificates and encryption algorithms.

Will the assistant help viruses get into my computer?

No. The Virtual Assistant never opens email attachments on your mail server. The Virtual Assistant can only download, forward, delete or archive emails. The emails are downloaded into the Virtual Assistant servers to be read to you using text-to-speech technology. In the case of voice messages, audio file attachments use the standard .WAV format and are opened only on the Virtual Assistant servers for rendering over the telephone network. All other attachments are only listed to you over the phone, but never opened.

Will the Virtual Assistant help intruders access my mail?

No. The only way for intruders to access your mailbox through the Virtual Assistant service is if they have your credentials (User ID and PIN). These credentials require a security level similar to that of online banking. You should change your PIN on a regular basis to increase your security.

How does the Virtual Assistant access my mailbox remotely?

The Virtual Assistant acts exactly as if you were using a computer to access your mailbox over the internet. It uses either an encrypted temporary access token provided by your mail server with your permission (without any access to your password) or your encrypted credentials to login to your mail account. At anytime, you can revoke the access permission or change the credentials that you provided. The Virtual Assistant retrieves messages from your mailbox and reads them to you over the telephone. It takes your speech or keypad commands and submits them as online commands to your mail server. Any feedback received from the mail server is spoken to you over the telephone using text-to-speech technology.

Does the assistant write data on my mail server?

It depends on what you request. The Virtual Assistant reads and processes your emails, contacts and calendar events remotely over the internet. It downloads and reads your emails, contacts and appointments; it replies, forwards, deletes and archives emails; it schedules meetings into your calendar, etc. The Virtual Assistant performs tasks on your behalf and always goes through your mail access protocol to perform these tasks. It does not write its own data on your mail server. The mail server may however keep a copy of messages or replies sent through the Virtual Assistant.