Google Chrome’s Safe Browsing Now Safeguards 1 Billion Users with 300,000 Deep Scans

12.02.2025

In celebration of Safer Internet Day, Google has announced that more than 1 billion Chrome users are now safeguarded by the browser’s Enhanced Protection mode. Introduced in 2020 as part of Google Safe Browsing, this advanced security feature provides twice the protection against phishing and scams compared to the Standard Protection mode. Google stated that this milestone marks a significant step in strengthening online security for users worldwide.

Originally launched in 2005, Google Safe Browsing is a powerful tool designed to protect users from phishing, malware, scams, and other online threats. It is integrated across multiple platforms, including Chrome, Search, Android, Gmail, and Google Ads, securing over 5 billion devices globally. Enhanced Protection takes this a step further by utilizing cutting-edge AI and machine learning to detect and block increasingly sophisticated cyber threats in real time.

When enabled, Enhanced Protection analyzes URLs and website content using advanced detection models trained on millions of examples. These systems identify malicious sites that attempt to mimic legitimate domains or use known attack patterns. For example, if a phishing site impersonates a package delivery service, Enhanced Protection can flag the page as suspicious and warn users before they proceed. Additionally, it safeguards against harmful downloads by performing over 300,000 deep scans of suspicious files each month, using advanced techniques to detect hidden malware, even within encrypted archives.

Despite its robust security capabilities, Enhanced Protection is designed with user privacy in mind. Data such as URLs, page contents, and files are anonymized wherever possible and retained only as long as necessary to enhance security. This ensures that personal information remains protected while benefiting from state-of-the-art threat detection.

By enabling Enhanced Protection in Chrome’s privacy and security settings or through a Google Account, users can improve their online safety and contribute to a more secure web ecosystem. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, this feature plays a crucial role in defending against phishing, scams, malware, and social engineering attacks, making the internet a safer place for all.