Millions of people use Google Chrome as their default internet browser because it offers great performance, seamless syncing with your Google account, a huge library of extensions, and, of course, modern security. With such a large user base, Google cannot afford to take security flaws lightly and is patching security loopholes as quickly as possible. While we’re constantly monitoring larger security issues, you also have a responsibility to provide a safe internet browsing experience. There are several built-in Google Chrome settings and features available to users to greatly enhance the security of Google Chrome. Other than that, improving your browsing habits can also make a big difference when it comes to Chrome security. In this article, we will explain all the options on your side to improve the security of Google Chrome and always stay on the safe side.
Google Chrome security enhancements in 2020
To make it easier for readers to understand, we have divided this article into several sections. First, we’ll talk about some built-in settings to increase security in Google Chrome, then move on to the advanced part and share some extensions and good browsing habits. Feel free to move around each section as needed.
Basics of Google Chrome security enhancements
1. Protect from dangerous websites
There are countless websites on the web that use various strategies to lure new users. Most of these websites have malware and redirect all kinds of links to questionable websites. Even people who are new to the web can easily participate. However, Google Chrome has a “Safe Browsing” option that, when enabled, prevents users from visiting malicious websites. To enable it, open Chrome Settings and tap Sync & Google Services. Then scroll to the bottom and make sure “Safe Browsing” is enabled . Google regularly scans millions of web pages and notes unsafe websites. So even before accessing a website, Google warns users not to proceed further. This way you are always on the safe side.
2. Encrypt your data
Google Chrome now has a new option to encrypt all usernames and passwords. When using Google services to store login credentials, it’s best to encrypt the data. To enable it, go to Chrome Settings → Sync & Google Services → Encrypt synced passwords with your Google Account . Your passwords are encrypted with a hash key and stored in your Google Account, so no one can read them.
3. Disable tracking
Tracking is a big problem as websites tend to target users with lots of personalized ads. In some cases, websites use browsing data to create unique profiles to identify users on the web. If you want to disable tracking in Google Chrome, open Chrome Settings, scroll down to Privacy & Security, and enable Do Not Track. Now, before you visit a website, Chrome will send a Do Not Track request and the website will respond accordingly.
However, many websites do not comply with Chrome’s requests and continue to track users. If you don’t want anything to be tracked, you can use the Ghostery extension ( free ) to further enhance your security and privacy. When you visit a website, trackers and all kinds of analysis tools are blocked. The name of the tracker is also displayed, so you can see which websites are tracking you the most.
4. Protect your Google Account with Chrome
If you have associated your Google Account with Chrome for syncing purposes, you must first secure your Google Account. Your Google Account is linked to Chrome, so anyone with access to your PC can access your Google Account, including Gmail, Photos, Drive, and more. The best way to protect your Google Account is to add an extra layer of security, like two-factor. certification. To enable this, open Google’s two-step verification page and add your mobile phone number as the second step of verification. If you want to learn more about 2FA, check out our guide here.
Alternatively, you can disable the automatic sign-in option in Chrome settings. When you enable automatic sign-in, you’re automatically signed in to websites using your saved credentials without requiring a sign-in request. Chrome does this to provide a seamless experience without having to click a login button every time you visit a known website. However, it can also become a privacy nightmare for unwary users. Typically, you must manage your account and can keep it active. However, if you are unsure, you should disable it . To configure automatic sign-in, go to Chrome Settings and open Passwords. Now change the automatic sign-in options as needed.
You should also get into the habit of signing out of your Google Account in Chrome at the end of the day. This greatly minimizes the risk of your Google Account falling into the wrong hands. If you’re bad at remembering things, just install the Auto-Logout ( free ) extension for Chrome . Basically, the extension automatically logs you out of your Google Account every time you exit Google Chrome.
Advanced Google Chrome security tips
1. Browse the web safely
The web has become more secure with the introduction of the HTTPS protocol. The new protocol encrypts all communications between your browser and websites. In layman’s terms, this means that no one, not even your internet service provider, can read your browsing data. However, there are still millions of websites that have not fully migrated to the HTTPS protocol. It’s a shame, especially for users who value privacy and security. Thankfully, there is a free extension, HTTPS Everywhere, that automatically switches your website from HTTP to HTTPS protocol .
This extension is very useful in detecting and protecting unsafe websites. This is especially important when making payments over the web. For example, if you’re making a payment through an unsecure HTTP portal, your card details aren’t encrypted, making it more susceptible to data breaches. That’s why it’s important to visit HTTPS websites to keep your browsing data safe.
2. Protect Chrome from crypto miners
Cryptocurrency miners exist on the web and pose a serious threat to users. Miners use specific scripts to run behind websites, ultimately consuming your computer’s resources. To prevent such scripts from running on your browser, all you need to do is install the minerBlock ( free ) extension. It automatically detects and blocks cryptocurrency miners, so your browser does not lag and is free from all kinds of intrusions.
3. Use a password manager
If you have accounts on multiple websites, managing passwords can be a tedious task. Additionally, creating the same simple passwords for different websites without using characters or complex hashes can be easily cracked, putting your security at risk. To increase the security of Google Chrome and the safety of your account, we recommend using a password manager. For me, the built-in Chrome password manager works perfectly. Just sign in to your Google Account in Chrome to start providing strong passwords and sync them with your Google Account. However, if you don’t want to tie all your information to one Google account, you can use LastPass ( free , $2.99/month) or 1Password ( free trial , $2.99/month). Both are equally good.
4. Browse the web anonymously
You may not want to be identified on the web by advertisers or snooping hackers. In such cases, you should use a VPN to stay safe from prying eyes on the web. There are many paid and free VPNs out there, but if you want a fast browsing experience and don’t want to compromise your privacy in any way, you should choose a paid VPN service. I use the TunnelBear VPN extension, which gives you 500 MB of data for free each month. If this isn’t enough, you can upgrade to the premium version ($4.99 per month) to get all the perks. There are many good VPN options on the market and you can use any of them, so you don’t have to use TunnelBear.
5. Check the authenticity of the URL
When you click on a shortened URL, you may be redirected to another website that you did not expect. These websites may be spam web pages designed to infect your PC with malware. If you have been in this situation before and want to disable it, there is an extension that analyzes shortened links the moment you click on them . The Unshortened Links Extension (free) allows users to proactively check the authenticity of URLs and provide information on whether to proceed or not. So, just install the extension and you’re good to go.
6. Make Chrome private
Many of us prefer Chrome because it seamlessly syncs with our Google accounts. But some people are paranoid about their browsing data and don’t want to hand it over to Google. If you’re one of them and still want to use Google Chrome, you can get it any way you like. First, click your profile icon → “Manage users” and delete your Google account.
Then go to Settings and scroll down to Privacy & Security. Here, disable “Allow Chrome Sign-in” . This will prevent you from being able to log in to Chrome every time you use your Google Account in the browser.
7. Managing extensions
As you can see, extensions are a great way to increase the security of Google Chrome. However, malicious extensions can cause many problems such as malware infections, ad bombardment, phishing attacks, etc. Therefore, it is important to be wary of such shady extensions.
Visit chrome://extensions/ and regularly check for suspicious extensions and remove them immediately. Be careful not to grant secret permissions to extensions unless necessary. Also, check the details of the extension to make sure it doesn’t have any unwarranted privileges. If so, revoke any permissions that seem strange.
Other important tips for Google Chrome security
Apart from the above steps, here are some small but important Google Chrome security tips that you can use to further strengthen your Google Chrome security.
1. If you don’t want websites to know your saved payment methods, disable payment options. Open Settings and scroll down to Privacy & Security. Here, disable “Allow sites to check if your payment method is saved.”
2. Check for malware or programs that could compromise Chrome’s security. To do this, open chrome://settings/reset and click “Clean up your computer”. After that, click on the “Search” button to start searching for malicious programs. Don’t worry. It won’t delete your computer files or Chrome data. Once you know your findings, remove the suspicious program.
4. As a habit, you should always keep Google Chrome updated. Please visit chrome://settings/help and check for updates regularly. Then restart Chrome for the changes to take effect.
Boost your Google Chrome security and enjoy a secure internet experience
As you progress through the steps, you’ll discover that Chrome is a nearly perfect browser with many built-in security features. Still, several extensions are required to make Chrome completely secure and resistant to external attacks. Also, as mentioned above, the responsibility for how to access the web safely lies primarily with the user. So, if you keep all the important points in mind, you can always be on the safe side. Having said all that, if we missed anything or have any other suggestions, please let us know by writing in the comments section below.
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