Chrome is one of the most used web browsers in the world, if not the most used. Whether on a computer or smartphone, on Android, Chrome OS, Windows, macOS, or iOS, the browser offers a relatively similar experience on all platforms it is present. A visual experience, on the one hand, but also the protection of users. Chrome provides the possibility to save and enter passwords.
Chrome putting security first
Google has updated the protection tools built into Chrome, including those related to passwords. The main new feature is a message that alerts the user if they have entered their credentials on a site whose security has been compromised. Protection against phishing has also been extended.
However, if the identifiers stored at Google are globally secure, they are not necessarily stored outside Chrome. Two situations are potentially at risk: servers of websites where passwords are stored can be attacked, and websites to which users connect can be fraudulent. Google has an answer to both these problems. Today the Mountain View firm detailed how it plans to improve the safety of Chrome users.
The first interesting element: the security alert. If you have saved a password in Chrome and the security of the website associated with that password has been compromised, Chrome displays an alert inviting the user to check the password and change it. This function was first integrated into the Password Checkup extension. It is now extended to Chrome in the Safe Browsing protection package. Log into Chrome with a Google Account for this to work.
Predictive and real-time protection against phishing
The second interesting element is the predictive detection of phishing sites. To understand the interest of this function, let us recall the rules of phishing. It is a fraudulent site that poses as a legitimate site and invites you to enter your login and password to steal your credentials and usurp your identity (or take a few pennies). Google has a list of sites identified as dangerous or potentially dangerous. When you click on a link to a hazardous site, Chrome protects you from it.
This list is updated every 30 minutes. During this time, new fraudulent sites may appear (or old sites may change their address). And you are exposed. Hence the interest of predictive protection, which identifies potentially dangerous sites according to their behavior. This protection already existed for all Chrome users connected to their accounts and having activated synchronization between devices. It now extends to everyone, even without synchronization. It is especially useful if you connect with a device that does not belong to you (such as a public computer).
