Twitter Adds Always-on HTTPS Security Support

· by · News

Twitter is working to improve security for its users by offering the ability to login to the social networking service’s Web site with the HTTPS protocol as a default.

Twitter Web siteTwitter is working to improve user security

By logging into the Twitter Web site via HTTPS, the data that goes between user’s computers and the service remains encrypted when in transit. “This will improve the security of your account and better protect your information if you’re using Twitter over an unsecured Internet connection, like a public WiFi network, where someone may be able to eavesdrop on your site activity,” the company said on its Web site.

To enable HTTPS as the default, login to your account on the Twitter Web site. Click your name in the upper right corner, then choose Settings from the pop-up menu. Now scroll to the bottom of the page and check Always use HTTPS, then click Save.

Twitter security settingsEnable HTTPS in your Twitter account settings

There are a few limitations to Twitter’s new HTTPS default setting. First, it applies only when visiting the Twitter Web site in a browser from your computer. To use HTTPS from mobile devices, like the iPhone and iPad, users must enter https://twitter.com in their Web browser.

Second, HTTPS support is a feature that third-party Twitter client apps must enable. The official Twitter iPhone and iPad apps already support HTTPS, but some other client apps may not have enabled support for the protocol yet.

“We are working on a solution that will share the ‘Always use HTTPS’ setting across twitter.com and mobile.twitter.com, so you don’t have to think about which device you’re using when you want to check Twitter,” the company said. “If you use a third-party application, you should check to see if that app offers HTTPS.”

Jeff Gamet

Jeff Gamet

Jeff is the Mac Observer's Managing Editor, and co-host of the Apple Context Machine podcast. He is the author of "The Designer's Guide to Mac OS X" from Peachpit Press, and writes for several design-related publications. Jeff has presented at events such as Macworld Expo, the RSA Conference, and the Mac Computer Expo. In all his spare time, he also co-hosts the We Have Communicators podcast, and makes guest appearances on several other podcasts, too. Jeff dreams in HD.

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