The whole world is going security mad these days. With Facebook and Gmail both already offering a constant secure HTTPS connection, it was only a matter of time before Twitter followed suit.

Whilst users are already able to browse Twitter via a secure connection by visiting https://twitter.com in their browsers, the micro-blogging giant has now added an "always use HTTPS" checkbox to Twitter's Settings page. This option will retain a secure connection for the duration of your login, regardless of what you're doing on the website.

Users most affected by the change will be those who regularly surf Twitter from unsecured wireless networks or those especially concerned about security.

If you log into the service using the mobile site (mobile.twitter.com) you will still need to use the https:// prefix for now, though a post on the Twitter blog hints at this being rectified in the near future: "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."

Those of you who use third party applications will need to check whether your particular client offers HTTPS, though the official Twitter apps for iPhone and iPad already support a secure connection.

Do you use Twitter's website or an app? Will the new HTTPS setting reassure you in future? Been waiting a while? Let us know what you think in the comments.