Google has actively encouraged users to enable it. Enhanced Safe Browsing. Bleeping Computer reported that users are still prompted to enable security features after declining the invitation. Google claims this helps keep users safe, Users with this feature enabled are 35% less likely to be victims of online fraud. However, enabling this has some drawbacks, such as allowing Alphabet to access more details about your browsing habits, associated accounts, and overall online behavior.
Also read: What is HTTPS? A Guide to Secure Browsing and Sharing
What is Enhanced Safe Browsing and how does it work?
This feature is nothing new. That version has existed for over 15 years of his life. This tool was revamped a few years ago, and Google went even further. Google said that when users enable Enhanced Safe for His Browsing, Chrome will enable cybersecurity features, enabling live and accurate threat assessments. Google knows in real-time what sites users visit and checks if the sites are blacklisted or flagged for malicious activity. This feature can also send parts of downloaded files for investigation if Google determines that the file may be malicious. If the analysis identifies a potential threat, it will prevent other users from downloading the file and warn others when they visit suspicious her websites hosting such files. .
Why are you concerned?
The fact that Alphabet’s Google actively encourages users to activate This feature raises privacy concerns. Tech giants already collect vast amounts of data about their users, and by enabling this feature in Chrome, users could start sharing more data than ever with tech conglomerates. many believe. Google admits that the stored data is temporarily linked to the associated account, used for some time and then anonymized. Therefore, it will no longer be connected to the profile that collected it. However, cybersecurity experts have confirmed that the data collected could easily be associated with a real person simply by using information publicly available online.
Should I believe it?
Google and its partners already know you well, so if privacy is less important to you, enabling this feature might help. Allowing tools to work provides some protection and helps Google protect others. If you don’t want to share too much with big tech companies, leaving this feature off might be your best option. Some people choose to enable this feature so that they do not receive periodic notifications to enable this feature.
Related article: 10 tips for safer web browsing
is that enough? No, it’s not. This feature is useful, but it requires that all connected devices have proper antivirus software installed. Antivirus software prevents users from staying in the wrong place or time They also often come with features like VPNs that allow safe browsing without compromising your privacy.