IE7 has a reassuring color scheme dedicated to those users who just want a gentle safety reminder for the sites they visit. I have noted previously of web sites that spoof the real thing. This could be catastrophic for someone logging into, for example, PayPal. Even if the site were simply for your email, Imagine the havoc that could be unleashed if someone were to get your email password for just 12 hours. So all IE7 users should bear in mind the following security color schemes:

Red
The certificate is out of date, invalid, or has an error.

Yellow
The authenticity of the certificate or certification authority that issued it cannot be verified.

White
The certificate has normal validation. This means that communication between your browser and the web site is encrypted.

Green
The certificate uses extended validation. This means that communication between your browser and web site is encrypted and that the certification authority has confirmed the web site is owned or operated by a business that is legally organized under the jurisdiction shown in the certificate and on the Security Status bar (a nice extra step).

It should be noted that even if the connection between your computer and the web site is encrypted, it does not guarantee that the website itself is trustworthy. Any knuckle head can get a URL and pay for a secure certificate. Your privacy can still be in jeopardy if the web site owners are fraudulent or simply do not take the time to secure your information.

"We know our friends by their defects rather than by their merits." - W. Somerset Maugham