Welcome to Esato.com




Is checking email on phone secure?


Click to view updated thread with images




Posted by giba
I recently started using my Sony Z600 to check my email, using the built-in Email application (under Messaging). I used the standard, non-encrypted access method (is SSL even available?), and I'm kind of worried about the security of this thing. Namely,

1) Would people be able to intercept my user name / password every time I send/receive?
2) Is my email content safe from prying eyes?

TIA,
Eric


Posted by giba
Anybody?

Posted by bucheral
Well, these are good questions. I really can't answer them, but I can tell you one thing: I'm reading and sending emails with all my SE Phones and did never have any problem, everything works and I don't think anybody is spying me in any way! But who knows?

Posted by ijefferies
Sadly nothing in this age is secure. If a mail contains certain key words it'll be flagged and decoded regardless of how many encryptions there are. The encryption will only keep it secure from the casual observer. If you are being 'watched' then assume the watchers know everything about you!


Posted by OluYom
Here's how it is: email on your phone is no more or less secure than email on your PC

Posted by Jon
No mobile ommunication is secure. By mobile i mean radio frequency. Yes it may be encryted but having it accessible over the air makes it available to anyone who can/wants to decypher it.

Unless you work for the military or Government, i would suggest that you have nothing to worry about.

Jon

Posted by giba
Thanks for all your thoughtful replies. I guess I can only keep my fingers crossed.

I'd still be nice if things are encrypted though... so that at least casual spies won't be able to get to anything.

Posted by Cycovision
The chances of anyone intercepting your email, or username and password, during transit are about the same as them listening in to a call from / to your mobile - it's certainly possible but it requires specialist equipment. This means that your email is pretty safe from the average person in the street intercepting it. I'd be more worried about getting the phone stolen and somebody accessing it that way. You can get software for PCs that shows 'starred out' passwords.

Without going into conspiracy theories, it's widely accepted that the likes of Interpol, MI5 etc. have the equipment to intercept calls and data transfers from mobile devices, so unless you're an International criminal, you shouldn't have too much to worry about

_________________
'He who laughs last, laughs longest. Or didn't get the joke...'

[ This Message was edited by: Cycovision on 2005-07-06 19:07 ]

Posted by max_wedge
unlike normal home user wireless networking, cellular networks use some basic security so that listeners can not "listen in" on the signal (nor gain useable data)

This includes some basic encryption (i think), and frequency hopping and other methods (imsi/imei handshaking etc)

You email username and password are sent as plain text behind this protected network.

You don't have too much to worry about dude

Posted by giba
It' nice to know that, I'll stop worrying about it.

Posted by Pradhika
Generally no trouble unless we are involved in something bigger. None care for other persons' stuff.


Click to view updated thread with images


© Esato.com - From the Esato mobile phone discussion forum