That's what it means to you. It does not mean that to the vast majority of people. I can have a red line through mine and be just as secure as you with a green

That's what it means to you. It does not mean that to the vast majority of people. I can have a red line through mine and be just as secure as you with a green padlock. This is what the ap is speaking of when he mentions snake oil. You had to pay money to have people believe you are safe. Now of course you don't, but what does that really get you? I'm not going to bag on the people behind let's encrypt (they've done an amazing job getting a lot of people on board to a worthy cause), but really the only reason they exist is because browser developers decided to add a green lock in the first place.