4 Ways to Protect Yourself Against Google Chrome-based Attacks

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Knowing that Google Chrome was created by one of the most data-hungry companies globally, we have always had our reservations about it.

These days, more reports are coming out about how the browser is being used to perpetrate a different kind of dangers and scams. Known to be the most used browser in the world, we see why it would be a hotbed for hackers since they would be able to attack many users at once.

It would help if you were not one of the casualties of this browser, though. If you will keep using your Google Chrome, here are some tips to stay safer than before.

1 Understand Incognito Mode

One of the many privacy dangers that come with Google Chrome is not the use of Incognito Mode, but failing to understand what it can and cannot do.

This browsing mode is famed for ensuring your browser history is not logged when in use. It also clears cookies and other tracker information from your browser as soon as you are done with the current session. You might not know that your employer/ network admin, webmasters, and internet service provider (ISPs) still see everything you are doing on the internet.

Thus, you are protected from other browser users who are looking at your browse information – but not from those on the other end of things. That is why you should not use this mode for susceptible tasks.

Otherwise, you can follow the step below.

2 Install a VPN

What does a VPN have to do with securing your browsing on a Google Chrome install? A lot, if you ask us.

VPNs are known for their plenty of servers placed in different countries of the world. When you layer your connection over a VPN, your internet data is routed through a lot of these servers before getting to the final destination. This move is called tunneling.

Thus, a VPN on your chrome browser masks your activity on the web. Even if you were not using Incognito Mode, no one would be able to snoop on your internet activity. Not even your ISP and network admins will have any idea of what your internet session was about.

3 Check Extensions

The Google Chrome extension store is starting to get awash with a ton of malicious extensions. Adding them to your browser steals various sensitive information from you, sending them back to the hackers behind such extensions.

In recent weeks, we have seen such extensions be why many users lose their crypto wallets and holdings. Other users have even had their fiat money balances wiped out too. That, and we have not talked about those who lost access to some of their accounts.

This is possible since the extension can access all that has been saved on your browsers – such as password and login details. They can also record your keystrokes, allowing them success to sensitive data such as a cryptocurrency wallet seed phrase.

The best response to this attack is to get extensions strictly from the Google Chrome extensions store. Even at that, make sure the extension you are getting is from a trusted brand and supplier.

4 Update your Browser

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When Google finds a new flaw in the system, it will send out a patch to fix that flaw. Sometimes, this is a flaw that has already made the news. For security reasons, though, developers will usually not talk about what they have updated in the browser. That way, hackers don't go snooping around such other vulnerabilities that they can find.

Thus, it is in your best interest to always update the app whenever you get the prompt. Updating the Google Chrome browser does not take long, but it keeps you protected for longer than before.