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Question

Why does Google Internet Authority Certificate force https?

Sep 3, 2013 11:20AM PDT

Recently, I noticed that Google had the padlock on and was using https. I looked and I had a new certificate issued to Equifax thru Google. Every time I try to use Google, it now switches to https. Why is this happening and how can I go back to plain old http when using Google? Thanks.
I'm using Windows 8, IE10.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
While google must answer.
Sep 3, 2013 11:26AM PDT

Almost everyone has changed because http leaks information.
Bob

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Why Equifax?
Sep 5, 2013 11:42PM PDT

I still don't understand why Equifax is involved? We've never had a reason to have an Equifax certificate installed on our PC. The information I've gleaned is that this certificate is under the 'Trusted Root Certification Authorities' and was placed on my PC on 8/22/2013 and will expire 8/22/2018. It says:
This certificate is intended for the following purposes:
Protects e-mail messages
Ensures the identity of a remote computer
Ensures software came from software publisher
Protects software from alteration after publication
All issuance policies
For the second item, is a remote computer 'watching' what is happening on my PC? I get the feeling that 'big brother' is watching. Thank you for your help!

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You can exchange Equifax with many names.
Sep 6, 2013 2:14AM PDT

The idea of certificates is nothing new so all I will add is that if everyone could issue such then the certificate would have no meaning.

Folk asked for more security and you see the result.
Bob

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More understanding ...
Sep 6, 2013 11:54PM PDT

I guess I need to understand more fully about certificates. Two more questions - does Google (and others) just go ahead and drop these certificates onto your PC without your approval? And, is there a way to use Google w/o https? Thank you.

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I use google with and without HTTPS.
Sep 7, 2013 1:18AM PDT