Google recently began offering another layer of privacy when you search. Searches conducted from https://encrypted.google.com/ will travel over a secure connection between the user’s computer and Google servers. So why would you want to do this, and what does it mean for you?
First, the “why.” The most common reason for wanting to do an encrypted search is the same reason you’d want any Internet transmission to be encrypted: it inhibits snooping by third parties.
But there are other reasons, as well. In an unencrypted Google search, the search term is saved in your search history and will autopopulate the next time you type in the beginning letters of the phrase. With encrypted search, those terms aren’t stored locally so they won’t pop up.
As PCWorld’s Tony Bradley points out business confidentiality can be seriously threatened by unencrypted search. Read by clicking here: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/196949/benefits_of_google_encrypted_search.html
[Unencrypted] searches may yield hints regarding ongoing research and development, confidential intellectual property, upcoming product or service announcements, or other sensitive information that is not intended for unauthorized consumption. Google encrypted search does not store that information, so there is no risk of someone stumbling onto it later.
Bottom line: if you’re doing confidential research on the Web, you should definitely consider doing it over an encrypted connection.
Read more on the CMIT Solutions Home Office Blog.
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