Google introduces new security features for Chrome browser to block threats

Google on Thursday announced a series of new security tweaks designed to better protect and control personal information while you browse the web. Here's what you need to know.

The announcement from Andrew Kamau, Chrome product manager at Google, confirmed that the latest version of the web browser comes with an improved Safety Check feature that includes new, important security resources. The Safety Check now runs automatically in the background and additional proactive steps are taken to keep Chrome users safe. This includes protecting against abusive notifications, according to Kamau, “by automatically revoking notification permissions from sites that Google Safe Browsing determines are tricking users into granting permission.”

Another new feature of Safety Check is the ability to scan for installed extensions on the desktop versions of Chrome and notify the user if they may pose a security risk. Safety Check “takes you to the extensions page and displays a summary bar with quick controls to remove the extensions,” Kamau said.

The fact that Safety Check now reminds you of security issues that require your attention is also very welcome. “As always,” Kamau said, “Safety Check continues to help you make sure you have the latest security patches and check your passwords for potential security risks.”

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Google also announced that it is adding some more privacy and security features to provide a safer Chrome user experience.

For Chrome users, there's a new feature that lets you unsubscribe from website notifications with a tap. While Google Pixel device users can already take advantage of this feature, Kamau said it will “be available on more Android devices soon.” With this feature, users can simply tap “unsubscribe” right in the notification bar and Chrome will perform the action immediately. “This feature has already resulted in a 30 percent reduction in notification volume on supported Pixel devices,” Kamau said, “and we're excited to roll it out to the broader ecosystem.”

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For Android and desktop users, a one-time website permissions feature promises more control over what data Chrome users share with websites. You can grant selected permissions — such as access to your cameras or microphone — once. Once you leave the site in question, Chrome automatically revokes the permissions and the site cannot use them again until you grant explicit permission again.

“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 web.”

Safety Check upgrade expands Google's security toolkit

Say what you will about Google, but there's no denying that the company rarely disappears from the news when it comes to security issues. So far this month, we've seen scammers using Google Maps Street View images as part of a sextortion campaign, Android users have been warned about a dangerous hacking attack that uses optical character recognition to harvest passphrases from phones, and no less than four serious security flaws in the Chrome browser were confirmed and fixed on Patch Tuesday. The latter can be considered good security news for Chrome users, as Google has always been very good at identifying and fixing security flaws promptly.

Frankly, it's also very good at introducing innovative new Chrome security features and updating existing ones. Safety Check is one such example, as the update brings important new features to this important part of browser protection.