Chrome will now warn about "suspicious" sites, not just dangerous ones

Google is adding a new level of warnings in Chrome against fraudulent websites. According to Spider's Web, citing a Google announcement, the change affects the Enhanced Protection feature.

Two risk levels

The feature uses artificial intelligence to detect malicious websites, downloaded files and extensions. It works in real time. Sites are now split into two categories:

• suspicious – sites that may harm the user,
• dangerous – sites that carry a high risk of harm.

Until now the system covered only the second group. When a user opened a dangerous site, Chrome showed a full-screen red warning saying access had been blocked. That mechanism stays, on both phones and computers.

What the new warning looks like

When a site behaves in a way typical of online traps, Chrome will show a smaller window saying the site looks suspicious. The rest of the screen is greyed out so the message is not missed. On a phone the window appears in the middle of the screen, and on a computer just below the address bar.

The user still decides: they can mark the site as safe or leave it with the "Back to safety" button.

How to turn on Enhanced Protection

Chrome uses Standard Protection by default, so the new warnings will reach people who switch on the higher level themselves. Open Settings, go to Privacy and security and select Enhanced Protection. According to Google, more than a billion users already use this feature. It is free.

What this means for you

The feature does not depend on the country, so it applies to people using Chrome in the UK too. It may help with attempted fraud, such as fake sites posing as banks, government offices or courier firms. The source does not say exactly when the change will reach all users in individual countries. The warning is no substitute for caution: check the web address before entering personal details.