iPhone 4.... How secure is Mail?

rockitup

I have recently subscribed to a Virtual Private Netwok (VPN) to enable secure browsing with my iPhone 4 and Macbook Pro when I have to use Public WiFi to access bank or share trading accounts.

I have not yet set the Mail feature on these to access my Gmail account, reason being I heard it is easy for someone to have a look at my emails before I get logged in to the VPN.

Is there any way to make this more secure rather than by having to enter my long password for the Gmail after I have logged into the VPN?

Not sure if it is any different with the Macbook Pro, I currently just use a Gmail notifier and have the password stored in Keychain Access. I would prefer to use the Mail feature on the laptop too if I can make it more secure.

Hope you can help, thanks

rockitup

Sorry, I knew my post rambled on a bit but I am happy with the security of my VPN, my actual worry is to do with the Mail feature on iPhone and MBP from the time I start using the Public WiFi to the time I get the VPN connected.

I know it should be less than a minute but I am located in Philippines and have been subjected to an unsuccessful attempt by someone to compromise my banking security when I have been online here before. Mostly I will be just accessing share trading websites but I still want to keep my details secure. Some of my archived emails contain financial info too hence my worry about using Mail.