Google updates Chrome Security Check functionality
Google announced a bunch of new security tweaks on Thursday that it says will boost protection and control of personal data while browsing the web. Here’s what you need to know.
The announcement by Andrew Kamau, a Chrome product manager at Google, confirmed that the newest version of the web browser comes complete with an upgraded Safety Check feature that packs new essential security resources under the hood. Safety Check will now be run automatically, in the background, with additional proactive steps taken to keep Chrome users safe. Among these, Kamau said, is protection against abusive notifications “by automatically revoking notification permissions from sites Google Safe Browsing finds to be deceiving users into granting the permission.”
Another new function of Safety Check is the ability, on the desktop versions of Chrome, to check for and notify the user if any installed extensions could be posing a security threat. Safety Check will “bring you to the extensions page and show a summary panel with quick controls to remove them,” Kamau said.
Google updates the Safety Check function for Chrome users
The fact that Safety Check will now remind you of any security issues that need your attention is also much welcomed. “As always,” Kamau said, “Safety Check will continue to help you ensure you have the latest security patches and check your passwords for potential security risks.”
Google Adds New Unsubscribe And One-Time Permissions Protection To Chrome
Google also announced that it is adding a couple of other privacy and security features to provide a safer Chrome user experience.
There is a new one-tap unsubscribe from site notifications for users of Chrome. While users with Google Pixel devices already have this, Kamau said it is “coming soon to more Android devices.” The feature enables users to just tap unsubscribe directly on the notifications drawer, and Chrome will immediately execute the action. “This feature has already resulted in a 30 percent reduction in notification volume on supported Pixel devices,” Kamau said, “and we’re looking forward to bringing it to the broader ecosystem.”
For users on Android and desktops, a one-time website permissions feature promises to provide more control over what data Chrome users share with sites. You can choose to grant selected permissions — say, access to your cameras or microphone — on a one-time basis. As soon as you leave the site in question, the permissions will be automatically revoked by Chrome and the site won’t be able to use them until you grant explicit permission again.
New one-time permissions for websites comes to Chrome
“With these new features,” Kamau concluded, “you can continue to rely on Chrome for a safer browsing experience that gives you even more control over how you explore the internet.”
Safety Check Upgrade Enhances Google’s Security Toolkit
You can say what you like about Google, but there’s no denying that when it comes to matters of security, the company is hardly ever out of the news. So far this month we have seen scammers using Google Maps Street View images as part of a sextortion campaign, Android users warned about a dangerous hacking attack using optical character recognition to grab passphrases from phones, and no less than four high-severity vulnerabilities in the Chrome browser confirmed and fixed on Patch Tuesday. The last of these you can consider good security news for Chrome users, as Google has always been very good at promptly identifying and nullifying vulnerabilities.
It’s also very good, truth be told, at introducing innovative new Chrome security features and updating existing ones. Safety Check is such a case, with the update bringing important new functionality to this vital bit of browsing protection.