Method and system for providing status indication and control to a computer network user

A system for providing status indication and control to a user of a computing device with a secure network connection, comprising:

• means for allowing the user at the computing device to establish the secure network connection between the computing device and a website server;
• means for providing a graphical user interface displaying a control panel at the computing device with a current status of the secure network connection to the website server;
• means for displaying on the control panel a time out period during which the current status will remain in effect;
• and
• means for allowing the user to cancel the secure network connection and sign off independently of a specific secure function by clicking on a sign off option displayed on the control panel.

A method for providing status indication and control to a user of a computing device with a secure network connection, comprising:

• allowing the user at the computing device to establish the secure network connection between the computing device and a website server;
• providing a graphical user interface displaying a control panel at the computing device with a current status of the secure network connection, the control panel having an attribute causing the control panel to be continuously visible on a front of a display screen of the computing device at all times the computing device is activated;
• displaying on the control panel a time out period during which the current status and at least one user privilege associated with the current status will remain in effect, an option for the user to extend the time out period, and an option for the user to view the information about the associated user privilege;
• and
• allowing the user to simultaneously cancel the secure network connection, sign off independently of a specific function and revoke the privilege associated with the secure network connection with a selection of a sign off option displayed on the control panel.