Google has rolled out new features aimed at improving Google Chrome’s Enhanced Safe Browsing mode as part of its commitment to keep people safe and secure online. Updates include better protection measures prior to installing Google Chrome extensions, as well as improved safeguard against the potential download of malicious files on the web.

Enhanced Safe Browsing was introduced in 2020, offering an advanced level of security from dangerous websites and downloads. Turning on this option in Chrome’s security settings enables more accurate threat assessments and tailored protection measures. Since the initial launch, people who use Enhanced Safe Browsing are 35% less phished in comparison to other users.

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Chrome extensions

Google said it continuously improves the safety of extensions published in the Chrome Web Store because many internet users are reliant on this feature for convenience and easy access. Based on its data, the tech giant said that over the past year, the number of malicious extensions that Chrome disabled to protect users grew by 81%.

To make published extensions even more secure, Enhanced Safe Browsing will now inform people if their chosen extension does not follow the Chrome Web Store Developer Program Policies prior to installation. A dialog will inform a person if an extension is not a part of the list of extensions trusted by Enhanced Safe Browsing.