With so much attention focused on Internet privacy concerns, Google has launched a new version of Google search that uses an encrypted Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connection between your computer and Google.

SSL is a protocol originally developed by Netscape to allow for security and privacy during Internet use. Public key cryptography is a cryptographic approach that uses a mathematical key that allows protection of the authenticity of a message by creating a digital key signature.

SSL encrypts data using a public key known to everyone and a private key only known to the recipient of the message. When you search over SSL, your search queries and search traffic are encrypted so they can’t be read by any intermediary party such as employers and internet service providers (ISPs).
Google explains, “With Google search over SSL, you can have an end-to-end encrypted search solution between your computer and Google. This provides you with a more secure and private search experience.”
“This secured channel helps protect your search terms and your search results pages from being intercepted by a third party on your network.”

“The service includes a modified logo to help indicate that you’re searching using SSL and that you may encounter a somewhat different Google search experience, but as always, remember to check the start of the address bar for ‘https’ and your browser lock indicators.”

Google warns that searching over SSL may be slightly slower because your computer needs to first establish a secure connection with Google. I’m pleased to report that in my experience there has not been any noticeable speed differences with the searches.However, images and maps do not yet support SSL, so you’ll see the integrated search results but clicking on those results will take you out of encrypted search mode.

To use the secure Google search with SSL simply go to https://google.com/ On some browsers, you can automate the process by downloading an add-on or extension for making the secure search your browser default. For example, on Firefox, (Windows/Mac) go to the Tools menu and then click the “add-ons” sub-menu. Within this menu, select “Get Add-Ons” and then “Browse All Add-Ons.” Once you select the “Browse all Add-ons,” a browser window that lists all the Firefox add-ons — in 14 different categories — will appear. Rather than search through the individual folders use the “search for add-ons” dialogue box and type in Secure Google Search (SSL). By clicking on this link once it appears, the extension will be added to Firefox.

The extension is not yet available for every browser, so search within your browser’s add-on/extension manager to see if it’s available. Until it is you can continue to use https://google.com/

A lot of this progress with electronic privacy has to be credited to groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). The EFF has been defending privacy, free speech, and digital rights since it was founded in 1990. “Google says it launched the service in response to demands from privacy campaigners such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation as a protection against state and commercial snooping.”

The EFF is a donor-funded nonprofit that relies on contributions to continue to operate. If you would like to learn more about the EFF, please see http://www.eff.org