Large Green Favicon in Firefox?

by on Jan 8, 2009

If you’re like me, you’ve visited sites like PayPal or GoDaddy and wondered why, in Firefox, they have a large green Favicon, unlike the smaller ones we’re used to seeing. So, what’s that all about?

Mozilla has a newer feature included that appends the URL of the site onto the Favicon (along with the green background) to show that it has a valid SSL certificate. Clicking on a Favicon in Firefox brings up a dropdown with some information as you can see below.

Clicking on the More Information… button brings up the Page Info window. You can view PayPal’s below.

You can see that on sites with SSL Certificates there is additional information on the Security tab of their Page Info windows. Compare these to your site’s to see how they differ.

Another use of the Favicon in Firefox is the ability to drag it to your Bookmarks or History menu items or sidebars to easily save your favorite sites. You can even drag and drop it onto your computer’s desktop.

Click here to download Firefox 3

UPDATE:

I should point out that just by having a SSL Certificate Firefox will not automatically display a green “secure” Favicon… Click here for an example of various packages offered by one provider, one of which includes the green address bar.

  • http://evytaar.com Evyta SEO

    Yes, I see it nice favicon, but why only for paypal or godaddy? can we make this too on our website?

    Evyta SEO´s last blog post..Palestine – Magazine Blogger Template

  • http://drivelocity.com drivelocity

    Thanks for stopping by Evyta. As I mentioned in the post, anyone can have a Favicon for their site, but in order to have a large green one with the URL, like PayPal, you need a valid SSL certificate. Also, note the “https://” and the padlock icon in your browser’s status bar. Those show that the site is secure, encrypted by a digital certificate.

    In case you missed it, here’s the link to the post about creating your own Favicon:
    http://drivelocity.com/blogging/creating-a-favicon/

  • http://evytaar.com Evyta SEO

    I know how to create a favicon in my site, I’ve used it in some of mine, but only a commond favicon, different with paypal, it has large green include URL.

    now I know that I need a valid SSL certificate, that’s I don’t have hehe. To my know, if we want to get SSL certificate, it can be brought from our domain place, right?

    Maybe someday I’ll buy it. For all, thank you very much for sharing me this one.

    Evyta SEO´s last blog post..Palestine – Magazine Blogger Template

  • http://drivelocity.com drivelocity

    You set it up through your host and you need a dedicated IP address, a private key and a certificate issued from a trusted authority. GoDaddy, for example, offers a Standard SSL for around $30.

  • http://evytaar.com Evyta SEO

    oh, yes I understand now how to get the SSL. I use godaddy too. I’ve noted this sharing. I think SSL certificate can give more benefit besides for the favicon, it can secure our site too. I’ve read it on godaddy.

    Thank you very much drive :)

    Evyta SEO´s last blog post..Palestine – Magazine Blogger Template

  • http://www.mesmerlab.com/10-tips-custom-favicon/ 10 tips for your own custom favicon | Mesmer Lab

    [...] 3? This assures the visitor that the site has a valid SSL certificate. Check out more info over at Drivelocity.com. Read more at [...]

  • http://www.ballroomdancingshoe.com Ricky

    I do have a SSL and I still do not have a clue how to do it. I have gone to my secure site and still does not show it like paypal’s do.

    Would you be so kind to point me in the right direction so I can have it showing on my sites.

    Thank you so much in advance.

  • http://drivelocity.com drivelocity

    Ricky, It looks like yours is a QuickSSL through GeoTrust. Check out the URL below to compare their packages – that one does not include the green address bar.

    http://www.geotrust.com/ssl/compare-ssl-certificates.html

    I’ve added an update to my post to reflect this finding. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

  • http://marvinlee.net Marvin Lee

    You need an EV SSL to have the green favicon.
    It’s explained here:

    http://marvinlee.net/blog/2009/03/green-indicator-url-bar-extended-validation-ssl-certificates/

  • http://drivelocity.com drivelocity

    Thanks Marvin! You have a lot of great info! :)

  • Melvin

    I have a valid SSL and a favicon that’s been working for years until recently.

    My favicon shows up on non-SSL pages, but disappears on the SSL pages.

    I’m using FF 3.0.6.

    On the SSL pages, I have

    What happened to my SSL favicon?

  • http://drivelocity.com drivelocity

    Melvin, I have no idea… what’s your URL?

  • Melvin

    gardecor com
    Disable caching and load the http:// then the https:// page.
    They are the same pages served up from the same directory.
    Both have the https://…favicon.ico in the header.
    But, the https:// page doesn’t show the favicon.

  • Melvin

    I just rebooted everything and am now getting the SSL favicon. Computers! Sigh… I guess it needed a break.

  • http://drivelocity.com drivelocity

    Glad I could help! LOL :P

  • Melvin

    Yes, I like it where the person answers their own question.

    Now, I don’t have the long green bar – just the favicon.
    Any ideas?

  • http://drivelocity.com drivelocity

    Again, I don’t know your URL, where you got the certificate, or who verified it…

  • melvin

    URL: gardecor .com (remove space).
    SSL from RapidSSL .com

  • Melvin

    Any word on this problem?

  • http://drivelocity.com drivelocity

    Melvin, I just checked and see that your favicon shows up w/ the blue background showing it’s encrypted and verified by Equifax Secure Inc.

  • http://jamesmsingleton.com James M Singleton

    I have seen a non-secured site (http:) with a large icon. Can’t find the link right now and still looking to do this to my website.

  • http://www.driverwithvan.com London Man and Van

    Hi,
    I get free ssl certificate offer from Godaddy when i purchased a domain….how can i use it to have big green like fav icon?

    any help will be appriciated.

  • http://www.srtjokes.com Jokes

    All these days I was wondering about this longish green favicon kinda thing, until I thought of searching for it and bumped onto your post. Well, thanks for the information. That was really good knowledge for me. :)

  • Gene

    Thanks for the info. I never knew what the favicons meant (or that they were even called favicons.) I’ve seen these on several websites, so it is good to know that I can trust these sites.

  • http://www.ucbrokers.com.au John

    Haven’t seen the large green favicon you mention in Firefox.

  • Rany

    its good to see that firefox is taking steps to protect your identity and anonymity.