Google SSL breaks Safe Search Web filtering

Google has recently changed their search to force it to always use a secure SSL connection by redirecting to  https://.  The problem is that our Barracuda web filter,  and most web filters that I know of will not be able to enforce the Google safe search because of this change.  This is a problem for our school  and trying to protect staff and students from accidentally pulling up inappropriate images while doing a Google image search.  Even just typing some random characters can l pull up inappropriate images unless Google safe search is turned on.



Google doesn't label their safe search pull down in a very clear way either.  The pull down says "Safe Search" , so you would assume that safe search is on,  but really it isn't.  If you select the pull down and select "Filter Explicit Results",  then it will say "Safe
Search On",  which is really on now.





It would be nice if  Google just defaulted to Safe Search being on,  and then giving people the option of turning it off, or giving a warning that you are about to view material for people 18 years or older.  That is how yahoo does it.






Luckily for us we are also using Google Apps for Education (GAFE) with Chrome browsers and so most students and staff are logged into their Chrome Browser and from the GAFE Administrator we have set Safe search on for all users.  But of course,  this only works if the user is using the Chrome browser, AND they are logged in to Chrome browser with their school account.

Hopefully Barracuda will have a fix for this soon!!

Has this caused problems for anyone else?

October 2013 PL Google Presentation

My October 4, 2013 Google Apps Presentation at Morrison PL Days
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