Google unveils encrypted search option

Google on Friday announced that it has rolled out a new privacy and security option for users to run encrypted searches. The new service, available at https://www.google.com, utilizes https encryption, commonly used to protect banking and e-commerce sites, to create a secure connection between a user's browser and Google throughout their entire search session. The secure channel will help protect search terms and results pages from being intercepted by a third party, Google said. The service, currently in beta, includes a modified Google logo to indicate SSL encryption is being used. — AM