How to Use Google Chrome’s Built-in Security Checker (and Why You Should Do It)
First, I’ll give you the bad news: there are many dangers on the Internet that can leave your devices and your data vulnerable. Good news? Modern browsers and platforms have a lot of built-in security, so if all your software is up to date, your chances of staying safe are greatly increased.
One of the features offered by Google Chrome is the reassuringly named Security Checker. You can think of it as making sure all your windows and doors are locked last night – the tool includes various security checks covering software updates, passwords, browser settings and third-party extensions.
How security check works
The security check has three main areas: The first check is to make sure you’re using the latest version of Chrome. As we mentioned above, this is one of the best ways to stay safe—Chrome will prompt you to install updates as they become available, so you shouldn’t have any problems here, but the security check checks for this as well. .
Next come your passwords, if you let Google manage them. The security check flags passwords that have been used multiple times, passwords that are easy to crack (usually short and simple), and passwords that have been compromised (so they were the result of a data breach somewhere on the Internet).
Passwords in all three of these categories may compromise your security, so you will be prompted to change any problematic passwords. Even if these passwords apply to accounts you no longer use, those accounts can still be used to access you and your data, and if you don’t use old apps and services at all, you should unlink them completely .
The third and final aspect of the security check is called Safe Browsing. It looks for any potential problems with the websites you visit, the files you download, and the browser extensions you install. This is mostly done up front and in the background, although you will see a warning if Chrome has taken action to protect you.
There are actually two levels of Safe Browsing: Standard and Enhanced. Enhanced Protection, as we’ve previously written , is even more secure, although it also sends more of your data back to Google for analysis, including page and download samples. Google provides more information about how Enhanced Protection works here .
How to run a security check
Click the three dots at the top right corner of the Chrome interface, then select Settings . If you open the Privacy & Security tab on the next screen, you will see a Security Check section at the top along with a Check Now button. If you’ve recently run one of these scans, you’ll see a refresh button instead.
Ideally, you’ll get a list of blue checkmarks, but if something needs your attention, just click the appropriate button to take the necessary action (such as updating Chrome to the latest version). Follow Safe Browsing and you’ll be able to switch between the standard and advanced levels of protection we mentioned above.
The Safe Browsing page also has a variety of additional options, covering everything from HTTPS handling to the DNS provider Chrome uses. In most cases, you can leave all the settings at their defaults and rely on the security scan to alert you to anything that is potentially dangerous or needs your attention.
If your passwords aren’t in perfect order, Chrome will likely flag some reused, weak, or compromised passwords that need attention. Click View to take a closer look at the problem: You can follow links to problematic passwords, and in each case you will receive a “Change Password ” web link (or you will be prompted to visit the appropriate application). set a new password).
There’s no way to run the security scan on a schedule, but many of the functions inside it still run in the background – as long as you remember to run it once a week or so, you should be well protected. It’s also available in Chrome for mobile, in a slightly different form: Tap the three dots in the app on Android or iOS, then Settings to find the Security Check option.