Google is introducing a new feature in the upcoming Chrome release. This feature will proactively notify users when an extension is not available in the Chrome Web Store. Oliver Dunk, a developer relations engineer for Chrome extensions, announced this update. The purpose of this addition, which will be included in Chrome 117, is to help users keep track of extensions that have been removed by developers, taken down for violating store policies, or identified as malware.
Google’s Chrome Update: Enhanced Security Features for a Safer Browsing Experience
To facilitate this, Chrome will display extensions falling into these categories in a dedicated “Safety check” section within the privacy and security settings. When users click on “Review,” they will be directed to their extensions and provided with the option to either uninstall the extension or dismiss the warning to retain it. Extensions identified as malware will continue to be automatically off, as in previous versions of Chrome.
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In addition to this security enhancement, Google also shared another update for Chrome. The company will automatically upgrade all URLs starting with “http://” to the more secure “https://” version. This upgrade ensures that users’ traffic is encrypted, even when clicking on links that explicitly use “http://.” In cases where the upgrade fails, Chrome will revert to “http://.” This change is currently in testing in Chrome 115. With plans to implement it for all users in the near future.
Furthermore, Google plans to introduce warnings in mid-September for downloading “high-risk files” while connected to an insecure network. These warnings aim to enhance user safety by raising awareness of potential risks. Google has provided an example image illustrating how these warnings will appear.
In conclusion, Google is making significant security-related updates to Chrome. The upcoming release will feature a proactive alert system for extensions not available in the Chrome Web Store, automatic upgrades to secure HTTPS URLs, and warnings for downloading high-risk files on insecure connections. These changes aim to provide a safer browsing experience for Chrome users.