Google Adds New Features to Enhanced Safe Browsing

Google adds new security features to Enhanced Safe Browsing in Chrome. From Chrome 91, users can check whether extensions from the Chrome Web Store can be trusted and check in real time whether files being downloaded or uploaded are safe.

When downloading Chrome extensions from the Chrome Web Store, Google will inform the user if the extension in question is part of a list that includes only trusted extensions. If not, the user will be notified and advised to be ‘careful’ with the extension.

Any Chrome extension created by a developer who follows the Chrome Web Store Developer Program Policies will be added to the list. Google reports that new developers who apply the policy will have to wait several months before Google lists their extensions.

The search giant is also adding a second feature to Enhanced Safe Browning. If a user downloads a file and that file is labeled ‘risky’, they will be presented with the option to send the file to Google’s servers. The file is then checked in real time.

Last year, Google introduced Enhanced Safe Browsing as an opt-in. This feature allowed Chrome browser to check downloads and urls, now the option for downloads is extended. The extension of Google Enhanced Safe Browsing will be available from Chrome 91.