Google Chrome, the popular web browser, recently announced about its new Safe Browsing feature. This enhancement includes a real-time link scanning system that is designed to preserve user privacy while providing protection against malicious links or URLs.
Previously, Google Chrome’s Safe Browsing feature checked for potentially harmful websites before loading web pages. However, the latest update introduces a more robust system that scans encrypted versions of URLs in real time. This new mechanism operates through an independently operated server, ensuring the privacy of users’ browsing activities.
In a recent blog post, Google explained that they upgraded the standard version of the Safe Browsing option with a real-time protection protocol. This is done to provide improved security against unsafe sites. Until now, the browser would rely on a locally stored list of malicious websites, but with this new update, Google can now conduct checks with the help of a third-party server.
When a user opens a website, Chrome first checks its local database for malicious URLs. If the URL is not found in the local database, the browser performs a real-time check by encrypting the site link before leading it to Fastly’s third-party server. This server anonymizes the requests, mixing them with those of other users, before forwarding them to Google’s Safe Browsing server. If a match is detected, Chrome displays a warning to the user.
According to Google, this real-time protection approach enables faster detection and blocking of unsafe sites. Additionally, server-side scanning allows for a more extensive list of unsafe sites compared to what can be stored on individual devices.
The updated Safe Browsing option is now accessible to Chrome users on various platforms, including Windows, iOS, Linux, and macOS. As far as Android users are concerned, the update is expected to be added to the platform in the coming weeks.
For users seeking even more comprehensive protection, Google recommends opting for the upgraded version of Safe Browsing. It includes file scanning, Chrome extension, as well as AI-based URL protection.
Overall, Google Chrome’s latest update marks a significant step forward in protecting users from malicious websites while preserving their privacy. By implementing real-time URL scanning through an independently operated server, Chrome can easily detect and block unsafe sites without compromising user data. This enhancement not only improves security but also ensures that users can browse the web with confidence.
