24 May 2010 | Author: D. Warburton Search Copywriter

Google's encrypted search engine goes beta

Google has unveiled the beta version of its SSL encrypted search engine for international searches, giving users the option of enhanced security if they feel their internet connection may be accessible by third parties.

The encrypted version of Google.com can be accessed by adding a simple 's' to the web address, taking users to https://www.google.com. PC Pro notes that national portals, such as google.co.uk, are not yet available in an encrypted form.

Google announced its plan to offer an encrypted search service last week, following the latest privacy concerns that saw its Street View cameras unintentionally accessing open Wi-Fi connections . By encrypting the data between a user's computer and Google's servers, PC Pro writer Barry Collins explains it becomes "practically impossible for third parties to intercept search terms or results."

The encrypted search engine is the latest of Google's services to be treated to additional privacy, following the encryption of Gmail by default earlier this year. However, the Mountain View company has assured users that their privacy will not be compromised when accessing Google services that have not yet been encrypted.

"To help avoid misunderstanding, when you search using SSL, you won't see links to offerings like Image Search and Maps that, for the most part, don't support SSL at this time," explained the company's software engineer, Evan Roseman, on the Google Blog. Users will still be able to access these services, but will not be able to see navigation for them.

"Also, since SSL connections require additional time to set up the encryption between your browser and the remote web server, your experience with search over SSL might be slightly slower than your regular Google search experience," the blog warned.

At present, users can differentiate between standard and encrypted Google.com sites by the presence of a padlock symbol to the right of the Google logo.

Home | Careers | RSS | Contact Us | Newsletter

International sites: