Google is rolling out the use of Secure Sockets Layer encryption technology for its search engine. Right now, the SSL-protected search is being beta tested, and does not extend the extra security beyond the core search engine to features like image search and Google Maps. According to Google, using SSL secures the transmission of search queries by users as well as the results returned by Google servers.

I've been pleased with how the Gmail transition went, but so far I haven't really had an opportunity to know for sure how effective it's been ...