SSL slapped on all Google searches

Every Google search will now go over secure sockets layer (SSL), something its account members have recieved since 2011.

The SSL will encrypt the connection between a user's computer and Google which helps to protects searches from interception by intermediaries such as internet cafes and internet service providers.

“We think it's really great and are very encouraged by the news,” Electronic Frontier Foundation technologist Dan Auerbach said.

"We think that encryption should be the default on the web. With the uptick in surveillance and sophisticated spying techniques, it's become so critical that networks switch to HTTPS.”

The protection will not guard against the typical dangers of the web, such as viruses and other malware.

Auerbach said the problem is in "referers," a legacy HTTP mechanism used for seeing what websites people come from.

The EFF technologist said referers are only sent from HTTPS sites when going to another HTTPS website – the idea being that information is protected on both ends.

“It's very silly that web browsers send them at all,” Auerbach said. “There's no reason for it technologically speaking. We really hope browsers become more aggressive about blocking them. If people want referrers [from Google] they will have to implement HTTPS. That can be the incentive to adopt HTTPS, but ultimately it would be better if it wasn't sent at all.”

This article originally appeared at scmagazineus.com