Google added two new Chrome security features Tuesday: a warning about website addresses with suspiciously substituted characters and a tool that lets you report suspicious websites.
The moves augment a feature called Google Safe Browsing built into Chrome, Android, Gmail and other services designed to keep you from opening malicious websites.
The character substitution detector — a bigger problem nowadays with expanded character sets offering more ways to fool you — works by comparing the exact text in a website link you’re clicking with the text of similar websites you’ve visited in the past, Emily Schechter, a Chrome product manager, said in a blog post Tuesday. That feature will arrive with the newly released version 75 of Google’s browser.
Google also released a Chrome extension called Suspicious Site Reporter that lets you report sites you think are dangerous to Google. You won’t see any immediate change, but as with reporting spam in Gmail, your actions can become part of useful crowdsourced data that helps Google and anyone using Safe Browsing.
“You can install the extension to start seeing an icon when you’re on a potentially suspicious site, and more information about why the site might be suspicious,” Schechter said. “If the site is added to Safe Browsing’s lists, you’ll not only protect Chrome users, but users of other browsers and across the entire web.”
Google’s Safe Browsing service, which compiles and updates a list of suspect sites, can be used by other organizations — and indeed some rival browsers do use it.
We use cookies to enhance your experience while using our website. If you are using our Services via a browser you can restrict, block or remove cookies through your web browser settings. We also use content and scripts from third parties that may use tracking technologies. You can selectively provide your consent below to allow such third party embeds. For complete information about the cookies we use, data we collect and how we process them, please check our Privacy Policy
Youtube
Consent to display content from Youtube
Vimeo
Consent to display content from Vimeo
Google Maps
Consent to display content from Google
×
Hello!
Click one of our representatives below to chat on WhatsApp or send us an email to our support team