Mozilla, makers of the Thunderbird email client software, stopped supporting older versions of Thunderbird (version 3.1 and older) in April 2012 and no longer provides security updates. Older versions of Thunderbird are vulnerable to malware and hacks. If you use Thunderbird as your email client, it is important that you are using the latest version 16.0.1. 

• During the month of November, ITS will automatically upgrade Thunderbird 3.1 and older to the latest 16.0.1 version on computers via TEM (ITS Managed Computer Services). If your computer is set up to receive these automatic updates, you will receive this upgrade. More information about TEM: http://its.ucsc.edu/managed-computer-support/offers.html

• If your computer is not set up to receive updates from ITS via TEM, you may upgrade Thunderbird on your own by following the instructions at: https://support.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/kb/updating-thunderbird 
  IMPORTANT NOTE: If you choose to upgrade yourself, please do not opt in to Thunderbird’s new FileLink feature. This feature allows users to save their data on Mozilla’s Internet cloud/storage and is not secure for university documents.

To view the new features of Thunderbird v.16.0, visit: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/features/

Alternatively, if you decide to no longer use Thunderbird, you can access your UCSC email account with your CruzID and Blue password through Google at: http://email.ucsc.edu

If you have any questions, please contact the ITS Support Center.