Google Chrome is regularly updated with new features, including security tools essential for keeping yourself and your data safe. Enhanced Safe Browsing is the latest version of the Safe Browsing feature introduced to Chrome a few years ago.
You might have noticed the prompts to use Enhanced Safe Browsing in Chrome or your Gmail account. But what is it, and should you use it?
What Is Enhanced Safe Browsing?
The Safe Browsing feature of Google Chrome works in the background to detect and block potentially fake or malicious web pages. Anyone who uses amodern version of Chromeenjoys the security advantages this brings. But if you want more browsing security, you now have the option to enable Enhanced Safe Browsing.
Enhanced Safe Browsing takes security to the next level by making it more proactive and in real-time. As you browse, Chrome checks for potentially risky URLs, downloads, extensions, and system changes. It uses this data to block or warn you about malicious sites, downloads, or browser extensions before they can do any damage.
How to Enable Enhanced Safe Browsing in Chrome
If you plan to use Enhanced Safe Browsing, enabling it in your Google account is the better option. This ensures that the extra protections are available even if you use your Google products from a different browser or computer.
You can also enable the feature in the Chrome settings. Just be aware that this applies to the browser only. Click the More button in the browser and go toSettings > Privacy and Security > Security > Safe Browsing. You can then selectEnhanced Protection.
Why Should You Use Chrome’s Enhanced Safe Browsing?
The advantage of more powerful protection will be apparent to anyone who has previously sufferedphishing attempts. With Enhanced Safe Browsing enabled, you will be less likely to stumble upon dodgy websites and more likely to be warned when you do.
The process ofadding browser extensionswill also be safer. And that doesn’t just apply to extensions that hide malware, but any that don’t meet the Chrome Web Store policies. You’ll get a warning before the extension is installed, rather than when it starts to misbehave.
Chrome and Gmail will scan files before they are downloaded and ask to further analyze any they consider suspicious. Links in email messages will also be checked and may be blocked if they lead to a site known to be risky.
An added benefit is the checks that Google makes as you enter usernames and passwords online. A real-time warning will let you know if any login data has been compromised.
Potential Cons of Using Chrome’s Enhanced Safe Browsing
The potential erosion of privacy is probably the primary concern when using Enhanced Safe Browsing. You are obviously sharing more of your browsing data with Google. Although this is anonymized after a short time, that might not be acceptable to everyone.
Downloading files from online sources could also be slightly slower, especially if you choose to let Google scan and analyze them. The delay might be acceptable for the added peace of mind, but could be frustrating if it’s too long.
Thankfully, Enhanced Safe Browsing doesn’t seem to impact page load speed. Nor does it add extra resource-hungry processes to the Task Manager. That’s a little surprising becauseChrome runs multiple system processesfor every tab you open.
Should You Use Chrome’s Enhanced Safe Browsing?
Increasing your browser and email security has got to be a good thing. And if you can make your online activities safer with the flick of a switch, even better. For those who can overlook the potential loss of privacy, enabling Enhanced Safe Browsing for your Google account is well worth considering.
