A while back Diana wrote a piece about the padlock in the URL bar of your browser and what it says about that sites security and means for your cyber security:
However what that symbol means in effect is that the communications between your device and the server hosting the website is encrypted from snoopers. It does not mean that the site you are connected to securely is legitimate. The threat actors can get a free security certificate as easily as we all can.
Google is taking steps to improve the information this icon gives by demoting it to a sub-menu:
Google will remove secure website indicators in Chrome 117 (bleepingcomputer.com)
Where Google goes other browsers will follow.
