Still using a Virgin Media email address? This is important!

If you use a Virgin Media email address such as @virginmedia.com, @ntlworld.com, @blueyonder.co.uk or @virgin.net, you may have heard that Virgin Media is changing the company that provides its email service.

Virgin Media is moving its email service to Junara, part of Atmail.

For many people, this will happen without changing their actual email address. However, there are some important things you should know — especially if you have been using the same email address for many years.

What is happening to Virgin Media email?

Virgin Media has announced that its email service is moving to Junara.

The good news is that, if you choose to transfer your account, you can keep your existing Virgin Media email address.

Your existing emails and contacts can also be transferred as part of the migration.

This means that you don’t necessarily need to start using a completely new email address.

Do I need to do anything?

Yes.

Virgin Media will contact customers whose email accounts are affected and provide information about the migration.

You’ll need to follow the instructions provided to arrange the transfer of your email account to Junara.

Don’t ignore the emails from Virgin Media.

There is a deadline associated with the migration process. If you don’t take action within the required period, your email account and its contents could eventually be deleted.

What happens to my emails and contacts?

If you transfer your Virgin Media email account to Junara, your existing emails and contacts can be moved across.

However, this is a good opportunity to have a clear-out.

Before the migration, take some time to check your mailbox for:

* Important emails

* Documents and attachments

* Photos

* Invoices and receipts

* Contact information

* Emails you may need for future reference

If you have particularly important information stored in your email account, we recommend making a backup.

Remember: your email account should not be treated as your only backup of important documents.

What about Outlook, Apple Mail and my phone?

If you currently access your Virgin Media email through an email application such as:

* Microsoft Outlook

* Apple Mail

* iPhone or iPad Mail

* Android mail apps

* Thunderbird

* Another email program

You may be wondering whether you’ll need to change everything.

Junara says that existing third-party email applications should continue to work following the migration, although you may need to follow instructions if your particular setup requires changes.

Don’t delete your existing email account or change settings unnecessarily before you’ve completed the migration.

What about email forwarding?

This is particularly important.

If you currently have your Virgin Media email automatically forwarding messages to another email address, don’t assume that forwarding will continue after the migration.

Check whether you have forwarding configured and make alternative arrangements if you rely on it.

This is something we would recommend checking before your migration takes place.

Beware of scams

Whenever a major email service changes, criminals will inevitably try to take advantage of the confusion.

You may receive emails claiming to be from Virgin Media or Junara asking you to:

* Confirm your account

* Enter your password

* Provide payment details

* Click a link to “prevent your account being deleted”

* Download software

* Verify your personal information

Be very careful.

Virgin Media has warned customers that genuine migration communications will not contain clickable sign-up links. If you’re unsure about an email, don’t click the link in the message.

Instead, go directly to the official Virgin Media website by typing the address into your browser and find the information about the email migration.

Should I move to Junara or get a new email address?

You have a choice.

If you’ve had your Virgin Media email address for years and it’s used for your banking, shopping, utilities, subscriptions and personal contacts, transferring it to Junara may be the easiest option.

However, this could also be a good opportunity to move to an independent email provider.

The advantage of using an independent email service is that your email address isn’t tied to your broadband provider.

If you eventually change from Virgin Media to another broadband company, your email address can remain the same.

For example, you could consider using a service such as Gmail or Outlook.

Whichever option you choose, make sure you understand what will happen to your existing emails and contacts before making the change.

Don’t forget all the accounts linked to your email

If you decide to move to a completely new email address, don’t simply start using it and forget about the old one.

Your existing email address may be linked to dozens — or even hundreds — of accounts.

Think about:

* Online banking

* Credit cards

* Amazon and other shopping websites

* PayPal

* Utility companies

* Insurance

* Government services

* Social media

* Streaming services

* Online subscriptions

* Medical and healthcare services

* Work-related accounts

* Family and friends

Change the email address on these accounts before you lose access to your Virgin Media mailbox.

Our advice

If you’re unsure what to do, don’t panic and don’t click on links in unexpected emails.

First, establish exactly what is happening to your account.

Then decide whether you want to:

1. Transfer your existing Virgin Media email address to Junara

or

2. Move to a completely different email provider.

Whichever option you choose, make sure your important emails and contacts are protected and that you don’t lose access to accounts linked to your old email address.

Need help?

If you’re not sure what to do, or you’re worried about losing your emails, contacts or access to your accounts, professional help can make the process much less stressful.

At Bridge Computer Services, we can help you understand what’s happening, check your existing email setup, back up essential information and help you move to your chosen email provider.

Don’t wait until your deadline is approaching — get your email migration sorted early and avoid unnecessary stress.