Question

using Wireshark or a packet sniffer - Email for yahoo and hotmail account

Asked by: jkimzlg

Is logging into your email account on sites like hotmail and yahoo secure?  For example when I log into Experts Exchange by putting in my username and password I know that if I used a packet sniffer such as wireshark I would be able to see my username and password in clear text.  Is the same true for logging into hotmail or yahoo mail?  

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Asked On
2009-09-08 at 20:32:42ID24717050
Tags

wire shark password Email for yahoo and hotmail

Topics

Internet Security

,

Encryption for Network Security

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Web Browsers

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Answers

 

by: alienvoicePosted on 2009-09-08 at 20:47:21ID: 25288086

From reading I did a while back.

***
Typically what happens, like at Hotmail, is that the data in the web form (with your login credentials) gets submitted to another web site that does require an SSL connect, so your credentials do get
protected when you click to submit.
***

And from other readings, yes your login details are submitted using SSL. So they are secure from apps such as Wireshark.

 

by: yehgdotnetPosted on 2009-09-09 at 09:24:53ID: 25292887

Always choose https login to the sites of your email, bank, hostipal or work or something important or site which has your bio data like https://mail.google.com.
Basically, all your data is passed encrypted (not plain text) to and from the site.

But wait, it is secure? Not at all. Security depends on the crypto strength of SSL being employed on the site. Check it out at:

https://www.ssllabs.com/ssldb/index.html

Ok, how can you use?
For example, before doing online payment to a site, you should check its SSL strength at first to make sure that they has employed properly tight security.

 

by: jkimzlgPosted on 2009-09-09 at 15:22:40ID: 31626455

Thanks

 

by: yehgdotnetPosted on 2009-09-09 at 15:29:53ID: 25296139

Your welcome, anytime, jkimzlg.

Regards
YEHG.NET team

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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