Desktop Chrome, which, unlike Safari, always had the ability to update regardless of the operating system, thanks to which Google was able to regularly expand its functionality. Extensions, built-in translator, hardware acceleration – all this and much more appeared here before the competition. But if users have never had complaints about the functionality of Chrome, then questions about security have arisen and continue to arise to this day. Therefore, it is logical that Google has undertaken to correct the situation.
Chrome learned to send files to viruses in the cloud
Google has introduced an update to the Advanced Protection Program for Chrome, which aims to protect users from malicious activity on the Internet. It was she who made it possible to scan passwords for hacking, identified virus scripts on sites visited by the user, and blocked phishing web resources. In general, cool. But Google decided that this was not enough, because there is still a danger of infecting the device through malicious files that are downloaded from the Internet.
How to scan a file for viruses
Despite the fact that Google Chrome for desktop platforms had warned users about the dangers of downloading files from unreliable sources before, in fact, this warning had nothing special under it, being purely theoretical. However, the Advanced Protection Program now allows you to send the downloaded file to the Google cloud for review. Here's how to do it:
- Confirm the download of the desired file from the Internet;
- Wait for Chrome to mark it as potentially dangerous;
Chrome will determine by itself which files need to be checked
- Click on the 'Check' or 'Submit for Review' button depending on the browser build;
- Wait while Chrome's advanced algorithms check it for viruses.
The ability to send a file for scanning for viruses does not appear with all downloads, but only in those situations when Chrome considers the site and the file itself to be potentially dangerous. If the browser has no complaints, then the download will be performed without any obstacles, but if it has any questions about the downloaded content, a submit button will appear in the download interface. As a rule, the check is carried out in a matter of seconds, but it should not be neglected for your own safety.
Virus Scanner in Chrome
Scanning files for viruses is important for your own safety.
Scanning takes place in real time. That is, the user can observe the process himself, and not just send a file and wait for the result for several hours or days. This became possible thanks to the so-called dynamic and static verification tools running in the cloud of the search giant. According to Chrome developers, their effectiveness has been proven by numerous studies, and therefore you can safely rely on them when checking software for malicious scripts and functionality.
The update, which includes the function of scanning files for viruses, is distributed by applying the necessary changes to Google servers. Therefore, you do not have to download and install any updates manually. If the innovation is not yet available to you, most likely, your turn has not reached you and you just need to wait. This is a common practice for Google – it deliberately limits the availability of patches to a narrow audience of users in order to be able to withdraw them if there are any problems.