For several decades, web browsers have used the padlock as a symbol of security for a website, particularly through the “https” extension. Except that for Google, this symbol is sometimes misleading. According to a study carried out by the tech giant, only 11% of the participants know exactly the exact meaning of the lock icon.
In fact, the lock icon is used to indicate that the channel is secure between the browser and the site and that the connection cannot be damaged by third parties. Along with the “https” protocol, the icon allowed its creation to ensure that security protections were present on the site. Except that today, 95% of web pages in Chrome are done through a secure channel of type “https” according to Google, including malicious sites. Therefore, the company considers that this type of information is no longer relevant to judge the security of a site.
A more obvious icon
To remedy this issue, Google will change the lock icon into a more abstract symbol made up of circles and lines, resembling the pictograms often used for app settings.
The lock icon was already clickable and, in particular, makes it possible to ensure that the connection to the website is secure and to obtain options regarding cookies and data use. “Our research also showed that many users never understood that clicking the lock icon opened important information and controls. We believe the new icon helps make permission controls and security information more accessible, while also avoid misunderstandings about this icon,” says the company.
This new feature should be released at the beginning of September 2023, at the same time as the “Chrome 117” update, which should allow a general update of the “desktop” versions of the different platforms.
Source: BFM TV
