Some of our members have noticed that the Google Chrome browser has begun using https://encrypted.google.com as default in the United States, instead of the unencrypted https://www.google.com site.
While this might not affect everyone using Chrome, the service can be used by navigating to the above web address by anyone residing in other countries and it doesn"t appear to be browser dependent.
Google notes that only Google web search is available over SSL, other search products like Google Images and Google Maps are not currently available over SSL. When you"re searching over SSL, these properties may not appear in the left panel.
With Google search over SSL, you can have an end-to-end encrypted search solution between your computer and Google. This secured channel helps protect your search terms and your search results pages from being intercepted by a third party. This provides you with a more secure and private search experience.
Google has recently come under fire for its sketchy handling of third party data, with a Consumer Watchdog accusing the company of using Google Street View cars for the collection of emails, passwords, web traffic and other potentially revealing personal information. In any case, this move by the search giant will certainly be welcomed by concerned groups.