Google to make the Internet a safer place with Safe Browsing
Google to make the Internet a safer place with Safe Browsing, Image credit: Wallpapermonkey.

On November 9, Google announced a new Safe Browsing page that aims to improve security in the Chrome web browser. Their actions look to thwart hazardous sites with repeat offenders that continually deliver malware to visitors.

The Safe Browsing website marks the latest redesign for the Chrome security outfit since its inception in 2007, wrote Mike Castner and Brooke Heinichen, from the Safe Browsing Team.

The new website looks to help users stay clear from common threats like phishing, spyware, and other types of unwanted software. It also serves as a place for users to check on Chrome’s latest safety tools.

Google Safe Browsing is available for desktops and Androids

How to use Google Safe Browsing
How to use Google Safe Browsing. Image credit: Google Safe Browsing.

Google’s Safe Browsing Team extends its protection tools to both desktop and Android users. The new site serves as a new addition to the Search Console, which contains relevant information from the Help Center, aimed to help webmasters with security issues.

The Safe Browsing Team has been developing protection tools for Google users that include not only traditional anti-phishing and related tactics but also research and tips on how to avoid deception via ‘social engineering.’

Social engineering refers to a much broader scale of hacking, in which the perpetrator tricks a user into giving them information in a more physical way, such as asking them to make a phone call and then posing as a Customer service representative for a site.

How to use Google Safe Browsing? 

The new website will keep sending alerts for deceptive pages through all platforms, with improved performance. Alerts appear every time a user attempts to download potentially malicious software or accesses a non-secure internet location.

Safe Browsing also warns webmasters if any malware attacks their site or if it is experiencing suspicious traffic.

Google Safe Browsing demo.
Google Safe Browsing demo. Image credit: Google Safe Browsing / TheUSBPort.

Google’s scanning infrastructure also alerts Android users of potentially malicious apps on the Play Store and extends its reach to advertising found on Google and content shared in Gmail.

Upon entering Google’s Safe Browsing lobby website, users can select where they want to go, if they want to look at their current security Policies, check out safety tools for Webmasters, look up resources for Developers, or protocols for Network Admins.

API’s are available for download in case users are interested in the inner workings of Safe Browsing. For more security, clients can also sign up via their Google Accounts to the Search Console for notifications and help.

Source: Google Security blog