If you use Google Mail, you should ALWAYS take advantage of a great feature – accessing mail over a secure connection via https. It’s easy. Just access Gmail using the address https://mail.google.com. Not only is your password not passed over the Internet in the clear, the entire session is encrypted and untappable. This will prevent anyone from snooping on your email as it travels from Google’s server (likely in California) to where you are. Gmail is so quick, you’ll never notice the difference in speed. This is not very well publicized, but it’s an excellent feature.

Is it only for the paranoid? No. Reasons for using this feature – you’re using a Wifi hostspot where Internet traffic can be snooped; you’re using a broadband connection in a hotel where others can read your mail; you don’t want a government agency snooping on your messages; you’re in China and don’t want your incoming/outgoing mail to be filtered; you don’t want your contacts viewed by others; and it’s just a good idea.

(If you are using it in China, it can mean the difference between an outgoing email making it through, or being blocked.)

If you are not a user of Google Mail, it really is the best one around. And Yahoo, Hotmail and other free Web-based email systems don’t offer this feature. They may securely transmit your password, but the rest of your session is in the clear. If you can, make the move.

(For other security tips, see the page here called Security Tips for Journalists.)