Public WiFi can be as dangerous as it can be useful. Unsecured connections make it possible for anyone armed with a packet sniffer to intercept email or track your surfing.
If you want to use Google Mail in a public WiFi, put your mind at ease with this handy tip:
If you go to the default google mail page – http://gmail.google.com you will be redirected to a secure site to log in, but will then be redirected to an unencrypted site for emailing. This makes you a potential risk for anyone who might be eavesdropping on the network.
The solution?
Simply type an ’s’ at the http ID like this: https://gmail.google.com (and bookmark the URL) and you will be encrypted with SSL throughout your entire email session.
Now you can Gmail all you want without having to worry about security!
[tags]gmail, wifi, security [/tags]
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January 10th, 2007 at 1:24 am
Ah, it is so simple, sure nobody can see my emails on the open network? Now, I can check my emails at Starbucks! :)
January 10th, 2007 at 2:23 am
great tip. tks. :D found u at petalingstreet.org
January 10th, 2007 at 8:40 am
A pretty neat trick, wish i could try it right away (unfortunately i don’t have a laptop)
January 10th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Does this work on the other mails too? eg Yahoo!, Hotmail…
January 10th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Thanks Maria, freelunch and jumanjisama.
Wei soon: Nope, it unfortunately doesn’t seem to work for both Yahoo and Hotmail
January 11th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
But the site already encrypted with SSL 256bits….
January 11th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Didi: By default: only at the login screen. All other traffic can be intercepted after that.
January 13th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Also works for the gmail chat feature, as discussed by yours truly on the 11th of November.
http://stephenrmoore.blogspot.com/2006/11/google-chat.html
January 16th, 2007 at 2:55 am
I’m pretty sure this wont protect on WIFI. I think all form blocks on https SSL pages are readable are readable on WIFI. This includes bank pages, passwords, everything. I think only encrypted tunnels like VPN (Virtual Private Network) are the only thing that can protect WIFI. 2 free VPNS without complex setup are iPig (iopus.com) and HotspotShield (anchorfree.com). Search terms like “WIFI Security” to learn more. Even VPNs only protect certain types of traffic. Like some scramble page content, but not addresses, so if you went to http://www.myillness.com people could sniff wifi to tell that.
January 16th, 2007 at 8:28 am
Thanks Steve
A Non: I did look it up…
“As long as you are using SSL to talk to a web server, your conversation is private. It doesn’t matter whether someone can watch your wireless network. They won’t be able to make sense of what they are seeing, because it is encrypted.” -http://techdir.rutgers.edu/wireless.html
Also see: http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3625016
But you’re right that VPN is definitely more secure. This just acts as an easy encryption method.
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:12 am
Hi
Good site!
September 27th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
its work body but it is safe……..
November 27th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Sounds good, I can’t see a problem with it.
April 29th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Gmail now has an offline version, too. It’s beta, like Gmail itself, but it’s another way to protect yourself.