Security - Gmail and the ISP


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wtchdrmd

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This may be the wrong place for this question, but it occurred to me that when I log into my Gmail account, my ISP might have full access to all of my Email activity, unless Google encrypts it somehow. Similarly, logging into YouTube opens my Gmail account as well because YouTube is owned by Google. Is this something about which one should be concerned ? Should security-conscious people be doing everything through a VPN ?
 

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wtchdrmd said:
Should security-conscious people be doing everything through a VPN ?
Click to expand...
VPNs will not protect you in any way shape or form. Some VPN providers are actually host to hives of scammers.
The best protection is to get rid of your connectivity and unplug your internet. Do it now!
But tell me, what are you doing that gets you so worried?
 

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You're ISP can see what IP addresses you go to and thats about it. TLS (HTTPS) encrypts all data in transit. They can't see anything beyond the IP.

I second what OAT said. A VPN is a network / somewhat a privacy tool and does not enhance security.
 

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neemobeer said:
Your ISP can see what IP addresses you go to and that's about it. TLS (HTTPS) encrypts all data in transit. They can't see anything beyond the IP.
Click to expand...

VPN can't prevent cookie tracking, viruses, or malware, and it can't protect against phishing scams. Data leaks could occur.
A VPN is only as secure as the company that runs it.
 
Last edited:

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I was answering in the context of gmail data. Obviously any unencrypted protocol is visible to network operators
 

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neemobeer said:
I was answering in the context of gmail data. Obviously any unencrypted protocol is visible to network operators
Click to expand...
I get it. Thanks for the explanation.
 

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Make sure your web browser using encrypted HTTPS.

Hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS) is the secure version of HTTP, which is the primary protocol used to send data between a web browser and a website. HTTPS is encrypted in order to increase security of data transfer. This is particularly important when users transmit sensitive data, such as by logging into a bank account, email service, or health insurance provider.
Click to expand...
 

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Thanks for all of the replies. I am a medical doctor and I have patient data that sometimes comes through inadvertently by Gmail. I have some patient records on my computer, but they are in a Veracrypt container and I only access them when I am offline.
 

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if you use CloudflareWarp not even your ISP will be able to see your IP or any IP you visit.
developers.cloudflare.com

Download WARP stable releases

This page contains the stable WARP client releases from the past year. We recommend using stable releases for production environments. You can download stable releases from the links below after checking requirements.
developers.cloudflare.com developers.cloudflare.com

best of luck Steve ..
 

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wtchdrmd said:
my ISP might have full access to all of my Email activity, unless Google encrypts it somehow.
Click to expand...
Yes, your email clients and web browsers only retrieve your email content via encrypted connections. Only Google, your email client/web browsers, and you will normally see that information.

wtchdrmd said:
Similarly, logging into YouTube opens my Gmail account as well because YouTube is owned by Google.
Click to expand...
Yes, but you trust Google with your emails in the first place. They don't usually do anything untoward except when subpoenaed by governments.

wtchdrmd said:
Is this something about which one should be concerned ? Should security-conscious people be doing everything through a VPN ?
Click to expand...
If you are concerned about Google or people associated with Google reading your email, then you can download sensitive emails and delete them, or you can start using encrypted email services like Proton instead. However, keep in mind that emails sent to your Proton account will generally be unencrypted when Proton receives them and then encrypts them on your behalf.
 

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