| Version | 1.3 |
|---|---|
| Publisher | |
| Release date | Aug 9, 2010 |
| Date added | Aug 9, 2010 |
| Os requirements | Windows, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 |
| Requirements | Google Chrome version 6.0.419.0 or later. |
| Total downloads | 3,340 |
| Price | Free |
Description
This extension lets you add Google SSL Web Search and Suggest as a search provider to Google Chrome 6.0.419.0 and later.
When you install the extension you're taken to the extension's options page where you add Google SSL Web Search and Suggest as search provider. When you click the button, a dialog will pop up to confirm the addition. In this dialog, you will have to specify a keyword for Google SSL Web Search, e.g. ssl.google.com.
To use Google SSL Web Search and Suggest as default search provider, right-click into the omnibox, choose "Edit Search Engines..." and make it your default.
*Mac Users*: This extension does not work for you, since the Mac UI of Chrome for handling OSDD entries is not yet implemented... sorry folks, we're working on it.
Review
Google SSL Web Search is a free extension that lets you change Chrome's default search engine to Google SSL, or encrypted.google.com. Google SSL is a beta release that promises end-to-end Secure Socket Layer encryption between your PC and Google. Encrypted searching keeps your searches private and keeps third parties from observing your searches or corrupting the results. It doesn't guarantee private or anonymous browsing; it merely secures your data transactions with Google, much like your bank's Web site. Google SSL currently supports only Google Web Search, so other tools like Google Images and Google Maps don't work with it yet, but it does search for videos, news, shopping, and other results you'd find in the regular version of Google.
Google SSL Web Search installs like any other Chrome extension, but you need to make it your default search engine to use it. We right-clicked the Chrome address bar (i.e. Omnibar) and selected Edit Search Engines. We selected Google SSL under Default search options, closed the page, and returned to our open tab. We entered some searches and were generally pleased with the results, though the absence of maps and images definitely detracts from their usefulness. However, Google SSL performed as well as the standard Google search engine in every other way, with the added advantage of a secure connection.
There's no doubt that secure searching will be the standard in the near future, since there's also no doubt that individuals' online privacy and security will face increasingly serious and sophisticated attacks. In any case, we recommend giving Google SSL Web Search's beta issue a try for a taste of things to come.