AUTHENTICATED SEARCH ENGINES

An accessing technique includes a first networked entity having a first security level and a search engine having a second security level. Access is allowed to the first networked entity upon the second security level being equal to or higher than the first security level. Access to the search engine by a user having a third security level is allowed upon the third security level being equal to or higher than the second security level. The search engine and the user may present a digital signature certificate in attempting access of the first networked entity and the search engine respectively. The first networked entity may query a second networked entity to determine the security level of the search engine relative to the first networked entity and the search engine may query the second networked entity to determine the security level of the user relative to the search engine.