Home page URL changes

[GrumpyOldFart]

I've probably just suffered a senior brain fart, but I haven't been able to find an answer to a problem which only started a few days ago.

Background: I'm using Win 8.0 ( :yuk: ) and IE 10 ( :ok: ), both of which are patched to date, and have been stable (!) for months.

Problem: My home page is http:// www.google.ca - but whenever I start IE, or switch to the home page from another site, the URL changes to https:// www.google.ca (https:// www.google.ca) (spaces added to URLs for clarity)

Anyone have an idea as to what's doing this?

[le Pingouin]

Seems Google has started redirecting all searches to their secure pages, not just those who are signed in with Google accounts. Well spotted though :)

[Ancient Observer]

Even a giggle search for e-bay ends up at an https site. E-bay, FFS.!!!

[parabellum]

Could it be part of the fight against porn sites involving children? Doubt if many of them can get the 'S' rating.

[TWT]

Something to do with this ? :

Google encrypts data amid backlash against NSA spying - Washington Post (http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-09-06/business/41831756_1_encryption-data-centers-intelligence-agencies)

[mixture]

Could it be part of the fight against porn sites involving children? Doubt if many of them can get the 'S' rating.

No. It'll take a lot more than that to fight that muck.

The answer is a bit complex, so I'll leave it at that.

[GrumpyOldFart]

Thanks, gentlemen and Penguins. TWT's article has the answer. What a pain in the arris!

Oh well - Mr. Crosby's site now gets my patronage.