Do you use Gmail?
Some of my Burmese friends do not like to use email. They say it is unsafe. They say the government can read email. It is time to reconsider these fears. Gmail can now be used safely in Myanmar.
Gmail has been unblocked for about a year and many Burmese people are creating new Gmail accounts. People who use their own computers for Gmail can use it safely with extreme confidence. People who use other people's computers or who use computers at internet cafes have to be much more careful.
If you take precautions, only you and Google can read your Gmail. Google is not interested in your affairs. Both incoming and outgoing Gmail can be made safe. On your own computer here are three simple methods you can use to make Gmail safe.
1) Use https://
If you use http:// for your Gmail it is not safe. You need a direct connection to the Gmail server to make it safe. You can make your connection with the Gmail server safe by ALWAYS using https:// instead of http:// when you go to the Gmail web page. Look for the S every time you log on. If it is not there then type it in and refresh. Check for the S, closed lock symbol, and colour in the URL box. If you use https:// then your connection to Gmail is secure and is almost impossible to intercept.
2) Use an effective password and change it frequently
The easiest way for someone else to read your email is to get your password. They can do this if you give them your password, if they guess it, or if they use computer software to guess your password.
If your password is myinzaw88 or mahtoo84, or 53dawyiyi then change it immediately. If your password contains your name, change it now. It is easy to guess names and easy to guess name and number passwords. 'Password guessing' software can guess these kinds of passwords in minutes. Your password should be a long one with ten or more characters. Mix up letters and numbers and special characters all through the password. a8s$s1k&mz is much safer than asskmz. Change your password frequently if you want be safe even if someone learns your password.
3) Use protection software like AVG Free and do not open attachments. You can safely view attachments in Gmail by pressing 'View'. If you do this then no viruses will get on your machine from the internet.
The above three simple measures will keep you very safe on your own computer. If you always follow them then it is almost impossible for anyone to read your Gmail.
If you use someone else's computer of if you use an internet cafe computer there is one additional measure that you must take to be safe when you use Gmail.
4) Do not enter your password all at once. Enter a keystroke of your password and then enter one or two nonsense keystrokes OUTSIDE the password box into another window.
Keylogging hardware and software can track the keystrokes that you enter. But keylogging hardware and software captures ALL the keystrokes you make and does not know where you are typing it. So it your password is a8s$s1k&mz you can follow these steps.
Type a into the password box. Type one other nonsense keystroke OUTSIDE the password box into another window.
Type 8 into the password box. Type two other nonsense keystrokes OUTSIDE the password box into another window.
Type s into the password box. Type one other nonsense keystroke OUTSIDE the password box into another window.
Type $ into the password box. Type two other nonsense keystrokes OUTSIDE the password box into another window ... and so on until you finish your password.
If you think that someone else knows your password and is using it, you can check to see if other users are looking in on your Gmail account. At the bottom of the new Gmail email page, there is a statement that says "Last account activity: X hours ago on this computer. Details." Click on the "Details" link and you can see what IP addresses have recently accessed your account. If you see unusual IPs that are not yours, that may be an indication that someone else has entered your Gmail account. It is a good idea to do this every time you use Gmail.
Use Gmail safely and you will sleep more soundly at night. Even Russian hackers and their uniformed backers cannot hurt you.
Happy Gmailing!
[him] moderator
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