Google has upgraded Gmail’s security by encrypting all email traffic from the service using Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS). HTTPS is used by online banking and shopping site to protect data from interception.
Gmail has used HTTPS to encrypt login pages since the service launched but encrypting email traffic was previously an option for users.
Google’s moved all users to HTTPS by default because it says the security benefit outweighs the slight effect on speed of message delivery.
The increase in Gmail security came just hours after Google revealed that it had been attacked, including attempts to hack the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights campaigners.
Google has denied that the changes are related to the China controversy, noting that the move has been planned for months with engineers testing the new approach ahead of launch.
If you’re more interested in speed than security, you can switch off HTTPS in the Gmail settings menu. If you use Google Gears to access your email offline, you’ll need to follow these directions to ensure it continues to work properly.
Out now | £free | Google
