In a blog post earlier today, Google announced that SSL-encrypted search will be the default when you’re signed-in to your account. The secured channel provides for a more secure and private search experience by protecting search terms and search results from being intercepted by a third party. This is especially important if you’re accessing the Internet through a Wi-Fi hotspot at a cafe. This change will roll out over the next few weeks. If you don’t have a Google Account, go directly to https://www.google.com.
Google first launched encrypted Web search in May 2010, later moving its encrypted search from https://www.google.com to https://encrypted.google.com. Google also launched SSL False Start to decrease the load time of SSL connections. Gmail adopted the default SSL setting in January 2010.
