SSL encryption to become standard for Xtra accounts

Telecom will be contacting select Xtra email users from today as, together with service provider Yahoo, it applies security enhancements to the Xtra email platform.

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption will soon be the new standard default connection for all Yahoo Xtra mail accounts. Telecom will be assisting users who access the service via a third-party email client, such as Microsoft Outlook for PCs or Android for mobiles, to update their settings.

Telecom Retail CEO Chris Quin said that while Telecom is working hard to improve the service for dedicated Xtra email users, it’s important that customers take their online security as seriously as possible.

“Despite what has been a troublesome time with Yahoo Xtra, the majority of our users choose to retain their Xtra email address. We’re continuing to look at what we can do to enhance Xtra mail so our users can have more confidence in the service to get on and do more online.

“That said, while we’ll do all that we can to keep customers protected via their email portal, these security updates will not prevent the ongoing circulation of spam. Nor will it prevent Kiwis from clicking suspicious links contained in emails which can perpetuate spammers’ activity. Together, we need to work to keep all of us safe online,” said Quin.

Telecom warned that email users should regularly update account settings with a strong, difficult to predict password, refrain from using the same password for their online banking, their email and their Twitter account, and delete emails containing suspicious links, even if they’re received from known and trusted contacts.