Search Google, Surf Facebook Using HTTPS

While more and more sites support encryption (Twitter, LinkedIn), sometimes even by default (Gmail), others still send your data in the clear. The new Firefox extension is just what the doctor ordered.A simple script can try and replace the HTTP with HTTPS, but unless we are very aware of these issues, the risks fly right by us.

The EFF and TOR come to the rescue with a new Firefox extension, HTTPS Everywhere, which does exactly this -- but only to pre-determined web sites (which can also be configured by the user).

* Google Search * Wikipedia * Twitter * Facebook * The New York Times * The Washington Post * Paypal * EFF * Tor * Ixquick

Even supporting just these websites by default is great news, and I already installed it. You should, too.

While the costs of turning HTTP-S on by default can be high for some services, after it was done on Gmail, excuses are running out for other services. But can we wait until these services to do this for us? It's not like our privacy and security are any business's top concerns.

Follow Gadi Evron on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gadievron.

Gadi Evron is an independent security strategist based in Israel. Special to Dark Reading.