In-browser Security Notifications
April 14th, 2004
A while ago, I threw out the idea of a bezel to indicate when a secure connection to a server has been established. As was pointed out by Marc Nothrop in the comments on the post, a global bezel would be confusing due to the window-specific nature of the information. The bezels displayed for volume, monitor brightness, etc. are not tightly related to one application, much less one window. For this reason, I propose in-window notifications that would augment the existing lock indicators shown in browsers.
- Displayed only the first time the applicable window is frontmost
- Slides out of the status bar, positioned close to the continuously displayed lock icon
- Retracts after a second or two
Safari’s placement presents a bit of a problem, if only cosmetic:
I suppose the notifier could expand from the corner of the window.
Too window-centric! The notification symbol should be associated as closely with the *concept* as possible. For secure connections to web-sites, I’d suggest a subtle, looping animation between the lock icon and the favicon.
A slow cross-fade between the site’s favicon and a lock? I suppose that would also work, but it wouldn’t be as noticeable.
The funny thing is that if IPv6 ever truly replaces IPv4, notifications will be necessary for when a site isn’t secure rather than when it is.
An interesting idea. I like it, but the only problem I have is that it seems like there should be something connecting it a bit more explicitly to the window–almost like a sheet or something.