What can I expect from search over SSL?
Here's how searching over SSL is different from regular Google search:
- SSL encrypts the communication channel between Google and a searcher's computer. When search traffic is encrypted, it can't be read by third parties trying to access the connection between a searcher's computer and Google's servers. Note that the SSL protocol does have some limitations — more details are below.
- When you use SSL search, the browser typically does not send referrer information to any HTTP links you visit (but the browser will still send referrer information to any HTTPS links). By clicking on a search result that takes you to an HTTP site, you could disable any customizations that the website provides based on the referrer information.
- At this time, search over SSL is supported only on Google Web Search and Google Images. We will continue to work to support other Google products. All features that are not supported have been removed from the left panel and the row of links at the top. You'll continue to see integrated results like maps, and clicking those results will take you out of encrypted search mode.
- Your Google experience using SSL search might be slightly slower than you're used to because your computer needs to first establish a secure connection with Google.
