Google has revealed its intentions to introduce a new feature in the upcoming version of its Chrome web browser. This feature will notify users when an extension they’ve added to Chrome has been taken down from the Chrome Web Store.
Expected to be launched with Chrome 117, this feature will give users a heads-up when an add-on is unpublished by its developer, removed due to violating Chrome Web Store rules, or flagged as malware.
The tech company plans to categorize these extensions under a “Safety check” section within the browser’s “Privacy and security” settings. When users click on “Review,” they will be directed to their list of extensions and can then choose whether to remove the extension or dismiss the warning to keep it installed.
Extensions marked as malware will still be automatically deactivated, just as in previous Chrome versions.
Alongside this, Google is also working on automatically upgrading all navigations from http:// URLs to the secure https://, even when users click on a link that explicitly uses http://.
This feature is currently undergoing testing in Chrome 115 and will soon be implemented.
Additionally, starting in mid-September 2023, Google plans to issue a warning to users attempting to download risky files while on an insecure connection. This is to address the potential danger of downloaded files containing malicious code that can bypass Chrome’s security measures.
Other planned features include enabling HTTPS-First Mode as the default for Incognito Mode, which ensures a more secure browsing experience. This setting will also be automatically turned on for users who rarely use HTTP. Users can activate HTTPS-First Mode by selecting “Always use secure connections” in Chrome’s security settings (chrome://settings/security).
These updates come as part of Google’s efforts to enhance browser security, including proposals to incorporate support for encryption algorithms resistant to quantum attacks in future Chrome versions, beginning with version 116.
