How to Encrypt Your Internet Browsing With Google
By Ranjan Rehman
Encrypted Google is a popular tool for people who don't like their search habits on Google to be monitored on public Wi-Fi at an airport or by an IT Network administrator at work. When you search over an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) protocol, your searches are encrypted so they can't be read by a third party, such as a hacker or Internet service provider. Such encryption will cut down on network eavesdropping and also prevent some online attacks.
Encrypt Your Internet Browsing With Google
Open your Web browser of choice and type "https://www.google.com."
A second option is to type "https://encrypted.google.com."
Note that "Google SSL" is displayed on the screen, along with a lock icon. Type your search in the search bar and click "Enter."
Warnings
- You may notice that your searches are slower because your computer needs to first establish a secure connection with Google.
- Only your searches are encrypted. Once you click on a search result, you will no longer be protected over an SSL connection unless the site you click on is also preceded by https.
- The sites you visit will continue to be logged in your browser's history. This function is not affected by using Google's SSL search option.
Writer Bio
Ranjan Rehman has been writing computer how-to instructions since 2001 and has been working on computers since age 12 when he got his first 16mhz processor computer with four megs of RAM. His love for computers has led him to earn a Bachelor degree in computer science and a Master of Business Administration from Tulane University.