In the last couple of months, Google has introduced several new security and privacy protections in its popular Google Chrome web browser.
The latest Chrome update includes an improved Safety Check feature to protect passwords and extensions, automatic HTTPS upgrades, and tab group syncing.
Just a few months ago, Google also introduced a Safety Check feature that notifies Chrome users when an extension is flagged as malware or removed from the store, prompting them to uninstall dangerous add-ons from their browser.
Safety Check Now Runs Automatically to Find Compromised Passwords
“Safety Check for Chrome on desktop will now run automatically in the background,” said Chrome Group Product Manager, Sabine Borsay. “These alerts will appear in the three-dot menu in Chrome so you can take action.”
The enhanced Safety Check can identify if any saved passwords have been compromised in data breaches. It also checks for weak, guessable passwords that leave accounts vulnerable. Users will be prompted to change unsafe passwords.
Additionally, Safety Check can now detect malicious or dangerous Chrome extensions and flag them for removal as mentioned earlier. Keeping extensions up-to-date is vital, as outdated plugins are a security risk.
Automatic HTTPS Upgrades Provide Encryption for All Websites
Google has enabled automatic HTTPS upgrades for all Chrome users. HTTP websites are now seamlessly redirected to encrypted HTTPS connections by default.
HTTPS websites encrypt data in transit to prevent eavesdropping and manipulation of web traffic. Switching sites from HTTP to HTTPS protects Chrome visitors from man-in-the-middle attacks.
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According to Borsay, “We recently added more details about your tabs’ memory usage when you hover over them in Memory Saver mode, including the potential memory saved when they go inactive. And we’ve made it easier to specify sites that should always remain active.”
Tab Syncing Enables Resuming Browsing Across Desktop Devices
A new Sync feature allows Chrome desktop users to save tab groups to sync browsing sessions between different computers. This lets people easily pick up where they left off when switching devices.
Along with enhanced security protections, these latest Chrome improvements focus on user privacy. Safety Check can automatically revoke website permissions that may have been long forgotten.
As cyber threats grow, Google remains committed to developing new Chrome safeguards. Proactive updates like Safety Check and default HTTPS make the web safer for everyone.
