Does my e-mail password gets encrypted and saved in my computer?

Question

Some one told me that it is possible that the password is encrypted and saved somewhere in the hard drive

Answer 1

That depends upon how you're accessing your e-mail, how the mail server is set up, and possibly the Internet settings on your computer.

If you're using a web browser to access your e-mail, look at the URL. If it begins with HTTPS, then your logon session is encrypted. An encrypted copy of your password probably IS on your hard drive IF your IE settings save cached copies of encrypted pages. The default settings do this. Cracking that password is not likely, however, so you're pretty safe.

If you use a web browser and the logon URL does NOT begin with HTTPS, then a clear copy of your password is on your machine and your password is sent "in the clear" across the internet. This is a risky setup, especially if you are on an unencrypted wireless network.

If you use a POP3 client (Outlook, Outlook Express, etc.) and the mail server does not use SecurePOP for authentication then an unencrypted copy is probalby on your hard drive unless you set it to prompt for the password every time you connect. In this case, your password is also sent "in the clear" across the internet and could be intercepted. This is a hazard on unencrypted wireless connection.

If you use a POP3 client and the mail server uses SecurePOP, you sould be safe. The copy of your password should be encrypted on your machine and it is sent to the server encrypted so it would be useless if intercepted.

Answer 2

negative. On most email programs your password is encrypted and set to the user/password server for verification, then sends back a approved or denied message..