How to secure Yahoo Mail Web sessions with SSL

Yahoo Mail now supports SSL encryption for e-mail sessions through a Web browser. Disabled by default, we'll show you how to enable SSL for enhanced security.

Yahoo Mail for Web joins its mobile apps with support for SSL sessions.

(Credit: Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNET)

Using SSL encryption with Web-based e-mail services offers enhanced security over snooping, especially when connected over public Wi-Fi networks (think McDonald's, Starbucks, or the public library).

Step 1: Go to gear icon in the upper right-hand corner and select "Mail Options."Gmail blazed the SSL path for Web-based e-mail several years ago and Hotmail followed suit, but Yahoo offered SSL only for logins, not the entire session. If you're a Yahoo Mail user, you'll be happy to know that SSL is now supported for the entire e-mail session. Here's how to turn on SSL for your Yahoo Mail account:

(Credit: Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNET)

Step 2: At the very bottom of General Mail Options, check the box next to "Turn on SSL."

(Credit: Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNET)

Step 3: Immediately after you check the box, you'll get a pop-up message informing you that a refresh will be required. Click OK to continue.

Step 4: Click the orange Save button at the top of the Options tab.

That's it. After a refresh, you'll automatically be taken back to your inbox and you should see "https:" in front of the URL in the address bar of your browser, as well as a lock icon.

(Via Ghacks)