Staying safe from online viruses, threats, and malware can feel like a game of “Whack-a-Mole”. As soon as you stiff arm one attempted scam, another one pops up. But you can add another tool to your anti-scam arsenal: Google’s “Enhanced Safe Browsing”.
Scammers constantly try to trick you with website links or emails that claim to be from Amazon, your bank, or your internet service provider trying to get to click on a link and divulge your password, account number, or even your Social Security number. These scams, known as phishing, are among the most widespread internet crimes. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, last year more than 422 million people had their online data compromised through data breaches, exposures or other means.
But if you are one of the billions of people using Chrome or Gmail, Google says that if you turn on Enhanced Safe Browsing you will be warned when you mistakenly connect with a suspected scam website. Google reports that people who turn on this protection on are 35% less likely to fall victim to phishing scams.
CNET.com, one of the most trusted technology websites, offers these directions on how to turn on Enhanced Safe Browsing:
“These protections aren't on by default, meaning you have to turn them on if you want the extra security. Here's how to activate these protections on your computer.
1. Open Chrome on your computer.
2. Go to myaccount.google.com.
3. Click Security across the top of the page.
4. Click the switch under Enhanced Safe Browsing for your account.
5. Click the switch on the next page next to Enhanced Safe Browsing.
6. Click Turn on.
Here's how to enable these protections on your Android device.
1. Open Chrome.
2. Tap the three dots (...).
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Privacy and Security.
5. Tap Safe Browsing.
6. Select Enhanced Protection.
And here's how to turn on these protections on iOS.
1. Open Chrome.
2. Tap the three dots (...).
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Privacy and Security.
5. Tap Safe Browsing.
6. Select Enhanced Protection.
One important thing to note is if you turn these protections on from one device, it doesn't appear that they carry over to other devices. That means you have to turn the protections on for all your devices if you want complete coverage.”
Digital security experts say it is a good idea to turn on this safety feature, but you do need to know there are some trade-offs. Google already knows a lot about you, and when you turn on Enhanced Safe Browsing, Google may learn even more about the sites you are visiting. Google says it will only use this data to block the bad actors. But you have to decide if giving up some more of your privacy is worth some extra protections from online criminals.
