The Latest in IT Security

Google Boosts Security of Gmail Infrastructure

21
Mar
2014

All Gmail Messages Now Encrypted While Moving Internally

Google announced on Thursday that its Gmail service would use added encryption to protect against eavesdropping and keep messages secure.

“Starting today, Gmail will always use an encrypted HTTPS connection when you check or send email,” Gmail security engineering lead, Nicolas Lidzborski, wrote in a blog post.

“Today’s change means that no one can listen in on your messages as they go back and forth between you and Gmail’s servers – no matter if you’re using public WiFi or logging in from your computer, phone or tablet,” he added.

The new security protection for Google’s popular email service is the latest move as Internet and technology firms scramble to boost their security efforts and up encryption after Edward Snowden began to leak classified details on the scope of US government spying.

Lidzborski said that 100 percent of email messages that Gmail users send or receive are encrypted while moving internally.

“This ensures that your messages are safe not only when they move between you and Gmail’s servers, but also as they move between Google’s data centers—something we made a top priority after last summer’s revelations,” Lidzborski said.

In December 2013, a group of US-based Internet giants called on Washington to overhaul its surveillance laws. In an open letter to President Obama and Congress, the tech giants called on Washington to lead the way in a worldwide reform of state-sponsored spying.

In January, President Barack Obama announced plans to curtail the reach of massive phone surveillance sweeps by the NSA, but said bulk data collection must go on to protect America from terrorists.

In December, Microsoft said it would “pursue a comprehensive engineering effort to strengthen the encryption of customer data” in order to protect its customers from prying eyes and increase transparency.

In a recent letter to customers, IBM executive Robert Weber emphasized the need for Governments to take action in order to restore trust.

“Data is the next great natural resource, with the potential to improve lives and transform institutions for the better,” Weber said. “However, establishing and maintaining the public’s trust in new technologies is essential.”

Tweet

Managing Editor, SecurityWeek.Previous Columns by Mike Lennon:Google Boosts Security of Gmail InfrastructureNo Card, No PIN Needed for This Cloud-Managed ATM, But Dont Forget Your PhoneCloud Hosting Provider FireHost Names New CEOTrustwave Acquires Cenzic for Undisclosed SumIBM: No Backdoors, No Source Code, No Client Data Provided to NSA

sponsored links

Tags: NEWS INDUSTRY

Email Security

Comments are closed.

Categories

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024
WHITE PAPERS

Mission-Critical Broadband – Why Governments Should Partner with Commercial Operators:
Many governments embrace mobile network operator (MNO) networks as ...

ARA at Scale: How to Choose a Solution That Grows With Your Needs:
Application release automation (ARA) tools enable best practices in...

The Multi-Model Database:
Part of the “new normal” where data and cloud applications are ...

Featured

Archives

Latest Comments