Google aims to improve Web protection on its Chrome browser by eliminating the Protected URL mark by September 2018. This Chrome Protected URL label is known to help users determine whether the websites they are visiting are secured.
The formal announcement had been written by its Security Product Manager, Emily Schechter, on the official blog of Google Chrome. According to her comment, this update will be deployed with their launch of version 69 of Google Chrome scheduled for release in September 2018. For those websites that have the HTTPS tag, this version will not have the green “Safe” text and padlock icon typically appearing in the Chrome browser’s URL bar.
The decision by Google to eliminate the green safe box for HTTPS websites is based on the fact that the tradition of supplying the green “safe” label began initially when HTTPS sites were a minority. Considering that actually is not valid, Google will now move to marking unsecured HTTP websites.
According to the statement by Emily Schechter, they would rely on user information about the protection of websites, hoping that internet users would understand and choose not to visit unsafe sites.
Emily Schechter also posted on her official post a graphic image of chrome version 69 demonstrating the eventual care of HTTPS websites. What is HTTPS And its role in the protection of websites
HTTP stands for the Conversion Protocol to Hypertext. The ‘S ‘at the end of HTTPS stands for “Safe.” If websites have no HTTPS mark, this means that user data can be compromised.
There are two main items to think about when you make an online payment or apply your confidential information, like the credit card details on a website. The first is whether the link between the company’s computer and your computer is secure. All personal data moving from one device to another must be encrypted, so that hackers are unable to access the information on their way.
There are two ways of knowing whether a site is safe. The first is simply to check whether there is an HTTP or HTTPS on the address bar. That missing ‘S’ is important as the word ‘Safe’ stands for. Secondly, you can visually search on the screen for the padlock symbol. If you see a padlock and HTTPS the link is encrypted and secure.
But what about the enterprise behind the website?
How do you know he’s not a safe link criminal?
Well, a new web protection framework makes this easy to find, modern web browsers show in the address bar colour and company names that let you know the site is trustworthy.
Websites that do not have an HTTPS label would require an SSL certificate in order for Chrome to be able to mark as protected. The SSL acts as secure encryption by ensuring web server and user interaction.
Websites that do not have an HTTPS mark would require Chrome to recognise an SSL certificate as a protected website. The SSL certificate encrypts correspondence between all parties, providing a secure web server and user interaction.
Unbiased organisations named Certificate Authorities grant SSL certificates to websites. These Checkers:
- Ensure that they use a safe link (i.e. ensure protection of the Website).
- Use third party authentication and domain registration to verify the company behind the website.
If the site passes the checks, an EV SSL certificate is provided by the Certificate Authority, and only sites with such certificates show colour in the address bar including name and address of the company.
If you see the green colour, this means that the website is protected, but if it is red, it is recommended that you do not access the unsecured website. This website security check method prevents criminals from obtaining the SSL certificates to display the Green Color Information (Secure) on the address bar of the browser. So when you see a website in the address bar containing green details, you can be sure it is legitimate and safe.
Chrome will mark the “Not Safe” HTTP websites as of July 2018
Although the Chrome 69 update is scheduled for September, providing for removal of the “Safe” label for HTTPS websites; the Chrome 70 update providing the “Not Stable” label for HTTP sites is scheduled for October 2018. Therefore, Chrome will mark all HTTPS websites as “Not protected” as of July 2018. That means that a user’s chrome browser visiting a non-HTTPS website will see a “Not safe” mark in the URL status bar with a red alert icon.
In addition, with the Chrome 70, users who visit an HTTPS website (which does not have SSL certification) can see a “Not Safe” label along with a red alert icon in the Chrome browser’s URL status bar. Emily noted this process would mark the end of positive security features for Google Chrome.
After version 70 of Chrome, the Google calendar doesn’t have clear dates for upcoming web browser security updates. According to Emily’s comment, Google has not yet set a target date for web browser protection to be at its final level. Google’s ultimate target is to label all HTTP sites as affirmatively unsafe as well as all HTTPS sites without SSL certificates. Ultimately, while this can provide some insight to a site ‘s actual security condition, it’s important to remember that the lack of even basic cyber security expertise coupled with the unwarranted presumption that everything you do is safe is the root of much evil online.