Avoid data breaches - encrypt your Gmail!

Posted by Caitlin on August 21st, 2008

Thanks for visiting the NextAdvisor Daily blog. You may want to subscribe to our RSS feed.

Google recently created an option for Gmail users to ensure that their email is securely encrypted using SSL. All you have to do to permanently encrypt your email is go to your Gmail settings page and, next to "Browser connection," select "Always use https." When viewing your Gmail, check the address bar. If it says "https://mail.google.com," you know that your email is SSL encrypted. If it says "http://mail.google.com," then your email is being transmitted in plain text, which makes it very easy for hackers to access your session information and read your email.

Since most people have some sensitive personal information stored somewhere in their email archives, the smart thing to do is make sure that your email is encrypted. If you are sending sensitive information over an unencrypted connection, you are putting yourself at risk for identity theft. To learn more about how to protect yourself from identity theft, view our reviews and comparison.

• Data Breach Alert: Seven years of government medical data exposed
• Data Breach Alert: Stolen laptop leaves thousands of Connecticut State students exposed
• Data Breach Alert: Poor website security puts untold number of Oklahomans at identity theft risk
• Reports say passport snooping is part of training program
• Google "G Drive" online backup service rumored to be launching soon