Jun 3

Jun 3 Google Releases New Security Features in Chrome

New privacy and security updates are on the way for Google Chrome users that promise to be more “intuitive” than previous versions. These new updates will make it easier for users to manage cookies and website permissions, tell you if your saved passwords have been compromised, offer a safe browsing tool and provide a customizable secure DNS.

Here is a breakdown of how to activate all of these features in Google Chrome:

Managing Cookies

The most recent update to Google Chrome allows you to manage your cookies much easier. You can also block third-party cookies. To customize these settings, follow these steps:

Click the three dots in the top right corner of the browser
Go to Settings
Navigate to the new “You and Google” section and click “Turn on Sync”
A pop-up will appear after you click “Turn on Sync” that will allow you to choose which items you want to sync in your settings

Perform a Safety Check on your Saved Passwords

Chrome offers a new safety check tool that will inform you if the passwords you’ve saved in the browser have been compromised and how you can fix them. To perform a safety check:

Go to Settings
Navigate to the “Safety Check” tool and click “Check Now”
Google will perform the safety check, identify if any passwords have been compromised, and notify you. You will then be able to change your password.

Utilize the Safe Browsing Tool

The Safe Browsing Tool in Google Chrome will allow you to have “more proactive and tailored protections from phishing, malware and other web-based threats.” By opting in to this feature, Google will receive URLs of some of the pages you visit where your security is at risk. This does mean that some of your data will be collected. To opt in to the Safe Browsing Tool:

Go to Settings
Click on “Privacy and Security”
Toggle the “Safe Browsing” feature on or off

Configure a Secure DNS

According to AbdelKarim Mardini, Senior Product Manager at Google, “By default, Chrome will automatically upgrade you to DNS-over-HTTPS if your current service provider supports it. You can also configure a different secure DNS provider in the Advanced security section, or disable the feature altogether.” To opt in to the Secure DNS: