Why is the 'S' missing?

Why am I having to add an 's' to the 'http' to get some of my sites to open? Have checked for Malware and re-downloaded my IE8 which also checked for problems.

You should not need to type the s for secure sites where the web address is prefixed with https.  The home page will practically always be a web page running under http.  Then, when you login to a secured account, such as with a banking or other financial site, the browser will know what to do based on its communication with the web server and will change the http to https.  Again, you don't need to type https, just as you don't need to type http for non-secured websites. 

So you say, but when I try to get into some sites I have to. Google for example, without the 's' will give me 404.  With the 's', I get straight in. Same with some other sites. Thanks for your reply, but I still am having to add the 's'.
.Pete.

Do you always type http or https in your browser to visit a website?

What part of Google are you talking about?  http://www.google.com/ or something else?

[Moderator]

Sounds like an infection to me...

Do you always type http or https in your browser to visit a website?

What part of Google are you talking about?  http://www.google.com/ or something else?

I never type in http or https until now. The correct one has always appeared as the site connects, but on these few sites, I have discovered the https does not come up, only the http and then I just get the 404 page.

Have run several checks including Windows own systems and Avast, Skybot and Quick Care, all getting the same results...Clean.

I never type in http or https until now. The correct one has always appeared as the site connects, but on these few sites, I have discovered the https does not come up, only the http and then I just get the 404 page.

Have run several checks including Windows own systems and Avast, Skybot and Quick Care, all getting the same results...Clean.

Please give an example of such a site, and how you are trying to get into it.

Please give an example of such a site, and how you are trying to get into it.

When I type in <www.google .co.uk> or <www.google.com> the address bar changes to < http://www.google.co uk> <or .Com> which results in Page 404.
When I type in < https://www.google.co.uk> the Google site opens straight away.  This happens even when I use a link that includes the Google Site. Note: I can, without any problem, open 'Google Earth. The above sites open without problem on my iPhone.  Peter.

What browser? Does it happen with a different browser?

Anyhow, Google.co.uk and Google.com are not https sites.

Something is wrong here.

What browser? Does it happen with a different browser?

Anyhow, Google.co.uk and Google.com are not https sites.

Something is wrong here.

Copy of what wil ONLY open Google for me. < https://www.google.com/ > (Copied and pasted from address bar)   Am using IE8 and have tried, with same result, Firefox.  Peter.

Are you using Google Apps?

I am using a Google account into which I am signed in.  Pete.

1. What other sites besides Google are affected?

2. Is that a 'no' to "Are you using Google Apps?"

1. What other sites besides Google are affected?

2. Is that a 'no' to "Are you using Google Apps?"

No, I am not using Google Aps.  Anothers site I could not get by using a link has been the <http://www.rspb.org.uk> I have to add the 's', then it opens with a window asking if I wish to open all or only secure sections of the site.

Pete.

Anyhow, Google.co.uk and Google.com are not https sites.

True, but only if you have created a Google account and are signed in.  Otherwise, they are http sites.  In other words, anyone, regardless of whether they have created an account with Google, can go to google.com and do a search, and the search results are still listed on an http page.