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What prevents me from accessing http version of google ?

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I tried to access the http site of Google search by using the URL "http://google.com", through my Firefox browser in my desktop. To my surprise I couldn't access it as it kept on redirecting to the https site. I then tried to access it through my mobile using the same URL and there was no problem with that. I have attached screenshots of my mobile browser showing both sites.

What prevents me from accessing the http site of Google from my Desktop browser ?

I tried to access the http site of Google search by using the URL "http://google.com", through my Firefox browser in my desktop. To my surprise I couldn't access it as it kept on redirecting to the https site. I then tried to access it through my mobile using the same URL and there was no problem with that. I have attached screenshots of my mobile browser showing both sites. What prevents me from accessing the http site of Google from my Desktop browser ?
Bafoto sur écran jointes

Solution eye eponami

This is how the redirect works: Firefox requests http://www.google.co.in/ and Google's server tells Firefox the site has moved to a new address temporarily (302 code), so Firefox loads the new address given. A screenshot of the Network Monitor is attached for reference. (Network Monitor - Firefox Developer Tools | MDN)

Why on desktop but not on mobile? Google can serve whatever redirects and pages it wants, so I think it's a question for Google.

Tanga eyano oyo ndenge esengeli 👍 0

All Replies (8)

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Hello   Kaartic,
Would you take a look at the article: 'Prevent Firefox from automatically completing URL's'
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/search-your-bookmarks-history-and-tabs-awesome-bar
By default Firefox uses Google's  'https'  search services and autocompletes location bar addresses,   with a bias for the secured   'https'.

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It did not autocomplete the address. I typed it completely. How did my mobile browser open the http version of the site, but not my desktop browser ?

Ezalaki modifié na Kaartic

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Google will now redirect HTTP to HTTPS. And it would surprise me it that differed on mobile browsers.

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Kaartic said

It did not autocomplete the address.

No,   you   didn't,   but the browser did.
And I just noticed   'the ed-meister'  saying that   Google   will now redirect   'http'  to   'https'   ......

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'Hello again   Kaartic   !
Mere curiosity: Why would you even want to use an unsecured protocol   (HTTP)   when a secured protocol   (HTTPS)   is available   ?
Wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry   ?

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the-edmeister said

Google will now redirect HTTP to HTTPS. And it would surprise me it that differed on mobile browsers.

If Google did redirect their HTTP site then how am I able to access it through my mobile. I am not able to access the HTTP site when I try it using Chrome browser in my mobile, but could access it through Firefox. (I have attached screenshots of both sites).

I do not know what is causing the redirection, that is what made me ask this question.

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Happy112 said
Kaartic said
It did not autocomplete the address.
No,   you   didn't,   but the browser did.
And I just noticed   'the ed-meister'  saying that   Google   will now redirect   'http'  to   'https'   ......
I refer to the browser when i used It (i.e.) I typed the address completely in the address bar.

Happy112 said
'Hello again   Kaartic   !
Mere curiosity:Why would you even want to use an unsecured protocol   (HTTP)   when a secured protocol   (HTTPS)   is available   ?
Wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry   ?
I just wanted to know if Google still provided the HTTP version of their site. As a result of which I found that I could access their HTTP site through my Firefox mobile browser but not through my desktop browser.
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Solution eye oponami

This is how the redirect works: Firefox requests http://www.google.co.in/ and Google's server tells Firefox the site has moved to a new address temporarily (302 code), so Firefox loads the new address given. A screenshot of the Network Monitor is attached for reference. (Network Monitor - Firefox Developer Tools | MDN)

Why on desktop but not on mobile? Google can serve whatever redirects and pages it wants, so I think it's a question for Google.