Amazon encrypts CloudFront, but security comes at a price

Amazon Web Services' content delivery network service CloudFront can now transfer data over an encrypted HTTPS connection, but users will pay more than if they transfer it via HTTP, Amazon said on Monday.

CloudFront can be used to distribute all files that can be sent over HTTP, including images, audio, video, media files or software downloads. The service, which is still in beta test, can stream audio and video, as well.

HTTPS can be used when delivering sensitive content or to avoid security warnings that some browsers present when viewing a mix of encrypted and standard content, according to Amazon. Using encryption will also help ensure the authenticity of the content, it said.

CloudFront will use encryption when retrieving data from its storage service S3 (Simple Storage Service), so the content is protected all the way from where it is stored to the user's computer, according to Amazon.

HTTPS requests start at US$0.01 per 10,000 requests. That compares to prices starting at $0.0075 per 10,000 requests for standard HTTP traffic, according to Amazon's price list. The cost of standard requests was reduced by 25 percent on June 1, according to Amazon.

CloudFront users also have pay for data transfers and the storage of their content.

Amazon isn't the only Web company that is looking to increase the use of encryption. Recently, Google launched a beta version of encrypted access to its search site. It will provide users with a more secure and private search experience, according to Google.

Amazon has also opened a new edge location in New York City, which brings the total number of places in the U.S. to nine.

There are also four locations in Europe and three in Asia. Closeness to an edge location will help improve performance, and depending on where users are located CloudFront will automatically send them to the most appropriate place, Amazon said.

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