Google announced today that it has upgraded its SafeBrowsing feature to provide real-time URL protection to protect Chrome browser users from malicious websites. Safe Browsing is designed to protect against phishing attacks, malware, and unwanted software by checking URLs against a master list.
Chrome's standard protection feature, which previously used a list stored on the device and updated every 30 to 60 minutes, will now check websites in real time against Google's server-side list of known bad sites. Google says it expects to see a 25% increase in blocked phishing attempts with this change.
Google is partnering with Fastly to run an Oblivious HTTP privacy server between Chrome and Safe Browsing to protect user privacy. Safe Browsing does not see the user's IP address, and Safe Browsing's checks are mixed with checks sent by other Chrome users.
Chrome browser users can also choose Enhanced Protection, a safe browsing mode that uses artificial intelligence to block attacks and provide protection against malicious Chrome extensions.
Google also recently updated its password checkup feature on iOS devices. In addition to making users aware of password breaches, it also flags weak and reused passwords.
Chrome is a free browser alternative to Safari on Mac, iPhone, and iPad.