Google offers Wi-Fi protection

Google let slip some more clues to its plans for the Internet, posting several Web pages that hinted at a Google Wi-Fi service.

A new download, dubbed, "Google Secure Access," is designed to "establish a more secure connection while using Google WiFi," according to the Web site.

The tool essentially allows a user to securely access the Internet via a Wi-Fi connection by routing their traffic through Google. The process did raise some hackles among bloggers, who worried that the plan may be a way for Google to access massive amounts of data on people's surfing habits. Google's Web accelerator program, designed to speed up Internet access, also came under fire on privacy grounds, and Google eventually stopped allowing downloads of the service.

But the prospect of a Wi-Fi service from Google did whet enough appetites that most simply exclaimed with glee and began downloading.

Blog community response:

"A regional test deployment. Add this to the GoogleNet bids and you've got some interesting afoot at the Circle K, huh?"
--Jeremy Zawodny's blog

"Since the program and service is free the only conclusion is that Google is trying, once again, to get its hands on all of your internet traffic for data collection purposes."
--Inside Google

"Even if you don't care about security or know what VPN means (virtual private network), just trust us on this one: Google has a free solution and you should take three minutes to protect yourself."
--LockerGnome Tech Watch

"I'm willing to bet that Google is being 'non-evil' about this, but someone is going to complain that this means Google can see where your surfing, since your connection will run through their VPN system. Either way, assuming it works, it's great to have a free VPN solution out there that can encrypt data while surfing WiFi."
--Techdirt