In 2 weeks from now, your Gmail will be really vulnerable if you doesn’t turn on the SSL now.

Because in 2 weeks time, a hacking tool will be released that enable anyone to hack a gmail account.

So, what is Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and what does it do? Simply to say, it encrypts the information, such that it makes it difficult for third party to intercept and decode information between you and Gmail.

Look out for this to turn the safety feature on

As described on WebMonkey, this is how you and Gmail interacts with and without SSL:
Without SSL,

Your Browser: Hey there Gmail, I want in. Here’s my encrypted login.
Gmail Servers: Hey there, browser. I see your encrypted login fits what I have here. If you want to keep talking to me, I will need to see proof of your login, but don’t bother encrypting it for me. Here is your unencrypted email.
Your Browser: Great. I want to read this particular email, my Gmail login is: webmonkey@wired.com and my password is: monkeylove. My name is John Hanks Doe and my social security number is 123-45-6789.
Gmail Servers: Sure, here you go. I see you are leaving for vacation with the house unlocked this weekend. Say, is this your credit card information?
Guy packet sniffing your wi-fi from Starbucks: Cool!

And With SSL,

Your Browser: xz6RV-BRJViqzNJROECslw
Gmail Servers: jx3iC96D3kuZ_IWNrK461w
Your Browser: PxIryG_P3_3_vRENZdWxMQ

The real thing would be even longer in length, and perfectly unreadable. SSL requires a key generated on your end and on the Gmail server’s end. There’s no way for the local guy at Starbucks to get those keys and unencrypt the data by packet sniffing.

“The reason Google didn’t grant users the SSL feature before, was because SSL is expensive. It takes a lot of bandwidth and time on both the receiver and transmitter sides to generate keys and encrypt data. Slower data connections would experience a lagging Gmail experience.”

This form of packet sniffing has been around for quite a long while. Afraid? Then use SSL feature now or regret it in the future. While many websites that sell items that require your credit card informations are secured with SSL, it is still better to be aware if SSL is enabled whenever you surf ANY websites.

“Protecting your wifi connection with WEP isn’t foolproof either(IT’s EASILY HACKABLE!). Your best bet is to use SSL whenever you are transferring information valuable to you, and to avoid sites that don’t use it at all.”

You don’t go to public places naked, do you?

[from WebMonkey]