| Those of you who currently use Gmail may have | | | | want to share! |
| noticed a new notice in red at the top of your email | | | | Google has been ahead of the other mainstream |
| screen More Google Mail Security. | | | | webmail providers in that it allowed encrypted access |
| This message tells us that Google Mail, or Gmail, is | | | | to Gmail. A configuration change was required but it |
| now offering HTTPS by default. HTTPS stands for | | | | was available. Hotmail and Yahoo! do not have this |
| Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It provides | | | | option, nor does Facebook. And now Gmail offers it as |
| authenticated and encrypted communication. HTTPS is | | | | a default. Great news for our email security. |
| the same protocol used by banks to keep your online | | | | The default option Gmail has introduced is "always use |
| accounts safe. In simple terms this means your data is | | | | HTTPS". This extra of security can slow down your |
| coded at your web browser end and uncoded at | | | | Gmail so if you are using a secure network you can |
| Google's mail servers. Your data is therefore secure | | | | choose to disable this option. If you disable HTTPS, |
| as it travels between your web browser and the | | | | Gmail will still automatically encrypt the login page to |
| Google Mail servers. | | | | protect your password. |
| (For a more technical explanation see Wikipedia.org) | | | | Unless your Gmail really slows down it is probably a |
| In general, online data is vulnerable to hacking. HTTPS | | | | good idea to leave the new default in place. Otherwise |
| encrypts your data so if you are using public Wi-Fi or | | | | make a note to turn it on again when you work from a |
| any non-encrypted network, your privacy and security | | | | Wi-Fi cafe or public space. |
| are still safeguarded. | | | | It is very simple to turn on and off this function. Just go |
| Non-secure networks make it easier for someone to | | | | to Settings > General >Browser connection and |
| access your bank statements or log-in details. This can | | | | choose Always use https or Don't always use https. |
| lead to identity theft and someone gaining access to | | | | Click on Save Changes. |
| your Gmail account can access a lot more than you | | | | |