Google is enhancing Safety Check and fine-tuning the administration of site alerts and permissions, while also allowing Chrome to manage specific security functionalities.
The technology leader is deploying a security feature upgrade for its Chrome browser, aimed at boosting user safety during web browsing.
Key Highlights:
- This update is available for Google Chrome on both desktop and mobile versions.
- Safety Check is undergoing enhancements alongside an automated response capability.
- Support for temporary permissions will be included.
- Unsubscribing from notifications has been made easier.
Crucial Point: Both Safety Check and Secure Browsing are essential elements of Chrome’s security framework. Safe Browsing conducts real-time assessments to primarily protect users from phishing and harmful websites, whereas Safety Check examines Chrome’s configurations and features to ensure user security.
Safety Check Now Functions Independently
Safety Check was introduced in 2019 to aid users in verifying if their stored passwords had been compromised. Initially named Password Leak Detection, its capabilities have expanded over time.
In late 2023, Google implemented automatic background scans for the desktop version, allowing Safety Check to perform routine checks akin to traditional antivirus solutions.
Helpful Hint: To access Safety Check, enter chrome://settings/safetyCheck in your browser’s URL field or navigate through Menu > Settings > Privacy and security > Safety Check.
The newest Safety Check iteration in Chrome scrutinizes various security concerns:
- Insecure passwords saved within Chrome’s password manager.
- Dangerous browser extensions.
- The current version of Chrome and its update status.
- The status of Safe Browsing.
- Possibly unwanted notifications.
- Unused permissions granted by websites.
Previously, these issues were only shared with Chrome users. Now, the updated Safety Check offers significant enhancements.
According to Google, the tool now functions in the background to implement “more proactive measures,” including on mobile devices. This indicates that the security feature may operate autonomously, with Google revoking unused site permissions and canceling notification permissions from sites that Safe Browsing identifies as misleading users into granting those permissions.
To evaluate whether notifications presented to users could be unwanted, Google analyzes site engagement metrics and notification frequencies.
While this new approach may be advantageous for the majority of Chrome users, seasoned users who prefer to retain control over their settings might find it less appealing.
Temporary Permissions for Websites
Recently, Chrome users on mobile and desktop received a new functionality that allows for temporary permissions for websites. Certain websites require specific permissions to operate correctly, such as a voice chat platform needing access to your microphone. Without this permission, features like the microphone cannot be utilized.
Google has introduced the option for one-time website permissions in Chrome for both Android and desktop platforms. These permissions are only valid while engaging with the site and are automatically expelled once you close the tab. This improvement enhances user privacy by alleviating concerns regarding granting permanent permissions for specific browser functionalities to websites.
This feature was first implemented in Chrome 116, and other browsers like Safari and Firefox, as well as many Chromium-based alternatives, also support one-time permissions.
For instance, Firefox defaults certain permissions to one-time to protect user privacy.
Streamlined Notification Unsubscription
You may know someone inundated with incessant website notifications. Granting permission requests is straightforward, but managing them can be challenging.
Google is introducing enhanced tools to address this challenge.
Unfortunately, this feature is currently exclusive to Pixel devices, although Google intends to extend it to Chrome on other Android devices soon.
The primary enhancement is a direct “unsubscribe” link associated with notifications. By clicking this link, you can instantly unsubscribe without any further steps.
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