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Google Chrome Updated with Antivirus Features on Windows

Hijack settings detection and new Chrome Cleanup tool

Oct 17, 2017 05:39 GMT  ·  By
The new prompts displayed to users when malicious content is discovered
   The new prompts displayed to users when malicious content is discovered

Google has just announced a series of security improvements for the Windows version of its Chrome browser, as it continues the fight against unwanted software and harmful extensions that could in the end not only impact the browsing experience, but significantly slow down a system.

One of the new antivirus-like features is detection of hijacked settings, with Google Chrome automatically scanning for changes that are being made to the settings without user consent and trying to restore the previous configuration.

This makes it possible to prevent extensions from changing the default search engine, for instance, which is a common practice for add-ons spreading adware.

Whenever such an attempt is detected, Google Chrome displays a pop-up message reading “Restore default search engine?” along with a description explaining that “Your search engine was changed to [webpage link]. To disable extensions that change your search engine, click Restore.” The browser takes care of the all the job.

Detection of unwanted extensions

The Google Cleanup tool is also being updated with a new interface and detection of unwanted software, boasting features developed with antivirus maker ESET. Google, however, warns that this tool shouldn’t be used as a fully featured antivirus, though it certainly adds another security layer to a Windows system.

“We can now detect and remove more unwanted software than ever before, meaning more people can benefit from Chrome Cleanup. Note this new sandboxed engine is not a general-purpose antivirus—it only removes software that doesn’t comply with our unwanted software policy,” Google explains.

Google Chrome is currently the top browser for Windows, with statistics showing that approximately 60 percent of the systems running Microsoft’s desktop operating system currently running the application.

For comparison, Microsoft’s very own browser for Windows 10 called Edge is only being used on approximately 5 percent of the PCs despite being offered as the default option and pre-installed in Windows.