[Dfey-general-discuss] Uproar over google introducing SSL search

[Tim Dobson]

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It's refreshing to see that ssl STILL outsmarts content filters...

I'm suprised it's taken google so long to come up with ssl search
though. I remember using ssl'd gmail for a long time and I'd have though
it'd have happen ages ago...

Anyone know of other search engines reachable over ssl [without
installing software]?

Nice to see the move to ssl is inspired by one of my favorite books:
http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/google-secure-search/

oh the irony!

Tim

- -------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [safetynet] safetynet Digest, Vol 52, Issue 10
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:07:17 +0100
From: Lisa Bushby <address@hidden>
Reply-To: address@hidden
To: address@hidden


HTTPS://Google.com -  Googles New Beta version Search Engine

Dear all ,

It's very refreshing to see Google actually taking responsibility for
how their tools are being used in our Education environment !.  I know
that were not really given a choice in that a high number of LEA's have
blocked the site ,and in turn have blocked Googlemail and Google apps
for education, but I still think its a bit of a break through -  Well
done Becta - for raising the profile of Internet Safety in our schools !

I cannot beleive that they did not see that this could cause an issue in
the first place !  I bet someone is in big trouble !

Googles Online Official Post from Monday !

An update on encrypted web search in schools

Monday, June 14, 2010 at 8:59 AM
We recently launched a beta version of encrypted (SSL) search at
https://www.google.com to prevent people from intercepting our users’
search terms and results. However, because encrypted search creates an
obscured channel between a user’s computer and Google, users who go to
https://www.google.com can bypass some schools’ content filters. This
can make it hard for schools to stop students from accessing adult content.


One option is for schools to use our SafeSearch lock feature, which is
designed to help keep adult content out of our search results. But given
how many computers some institutions have this is proving impractical in
many cases. So to prevent students from bypassing their filters, some
schools are blocking encrypted search. However, a side effect of this
action is that it also blocks other services hosted at Google’s secure
URL, including Google Apps for Education, and many of our other services
which require authentication to keep information safe.


We’re working hard to address this issue as quickly as possible and in a
few weeks we will move encrypted search to a new hostname – so schools
can limit access to SSL search without disrupting other Google services,
like Google Apps for Education. Longer term, we are exploring other
options like moving authentication to its own hostname so that we can
return encrypted search to https://www.google.com.


Safety and security matter to Google, and we are committed to working
with our partners in education so that we help keep students safe and
secure on the Internet.


Posted by Dave Girouard, President, Google Enterprise




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