ITS is pleased to announce that the IC Webmail system will now be using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption. SSL has been implemented to improve security and privacy for Webmail messages sent within the IC email system.
Secure Webmail will be activated during Fix-it Friday on July 21st. Users who log into http://webmail.ithaca.edu will be automatically redirected to https://webmail.ithaca.edu and should update their bookmarks with the new Webmail address.
SSL will also be implemented for Mozilla Thunderbird and Mac Mail early in the fall semester. More information will be posted to Intercom at a later time.
About SSL
SSL is a means of scrambling the information contained in a Webmail message (such as the email account password and message content) while the message travels within the IC email system. It is important to note that once a Webmail message leaves the IC email system en route to any non-Ithaca email address, the secure encryption no longer applies.
SSL is commonly used for secure transactions on websites that involve online banking or shopping. There are two ways to tell if a website is secure: (1) The web address will start with https instead of http, (2) a padlock icon will be displayed somewhere along the web browser’s information bar at the bottom of the window.
Please contact the ITS Helpdesk (helpdesk@ithaca.edu or 4-3282) if you have questions or experience problems.
