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The convenience of web applications is unrivaled. It's especially true for web-based e-mail services, where all your mail is stored in one central location and remains easily accessible from any computer on the internet.

But using web-based e-mail poses significant security risks, especially if you use a Wi-Fi connection or a public internet connection like a university or a library.

Here are some tips for keeping your Google, Yahoo and Hotmail accounts secure and safe from personal data snoops.

''Got tips for these or any other webmail services? Help us '''improve this article''' by adding them to the list below.''

==GMail==

Google's free mail service allows users to log in over an unencrypted HTTP connection. This opens up the possibility of a malicious hacker grabbing your password out of thin air if you're connecting over Wi-Fi.

The easiest way to correct this problem is to force Gmail to always use a secure HTTPS connection.

'''Step 1:''' In Gmail, click on Settings. You'll find the link in the top right corner of the screen, next to your e-mail address and the "Sign Out" option.