Microsoft wants to provide wider tools alongside the lock icon to give users of Microsoft Edge more knowledge of website security. Specifically, the company is developing a solution that shows more details about a site in the information in a pop up.
Security is important, especially when browsing online. Many users are at risk from attack, so understanding if a website you visit is safe or not. A lock icon is a solid first step, showing that the site uses HTTPS and security tools like SSL encryption. However, it is no guarantee that the site is overall safe or not trying to scam you.
Moving forward, the pop up will show wider information about a site you are visiting, with details from Wikipedia. Ok, Wikipedia is hardly the final word in legitimate information, but the details should give users a solid knowledge of a site’s security.
However, it is easy for someone not associated with the website to edit a Wikipedia entry. There is some concern that the website may not agree with their depiction on Wikipedia. In other words, the information Microsoft presents may be incorrect or simply made up.
More Details
Microsoft has baked in a toggle to Microsoft Edge Dev and Edge Canary in testing. However, it is currently only available to select testers. As well as information from Wikipedia, the pop-up also shows social media pages associated with the site.
Also in Microsoft Edge Canary, the company is working on an “underside panel” that highlights the more important information from the site.
Tip of the day: With many reachable wireless access points popping up and disappearing again, the available networks list can become quite annoying. If needed you can use the allowed and blocked filter list of Windows 10 to block certain WiFi networks or all unknown WiFi networks.
Last Updated on February 14, 2022 8:20 pm CET by Luke Jones
