Google Chrome's upcoming feature to give insights on disappearing extensions and enhance security with automatic URL upgrades and high-risk file download warnings. (Unsplash)

Alerts to be Issued for Chrome Extensions Set to be Discontinued by Google

Adriana MaraisAugust 17, 23 Google chrome

Google will be introducing a new proactive alert system in the upcoming Chrome update, which will provide users with information about the disappearance of extensions. Oliver Dunk, a developer relations engineer for Chrome extensions, announced this feature will be included in Chrome 117. The aim of this innovation is to improve users’ understanding of why extensions have been removed, whether it be due to actions taken by developers, policy violations on the Chrome Web Store, or being flagged as malware.

Improved awareness with proactive notifications

The upcoming addition will bring a separate “Security Check” segment to Chrome’s privacy and security settings. Plugins belonging to the categories mentioned above are shown here. By clicking the “Rate” option, users will be directed to their list of plugins where they can make an informed decision, according to a report by The Verge. They can either remove the plugin or dismiss the warning and continue using the plugin. It’s important to note that, as with previous iterations of Chrome, extensions flagged as malware are automatically disabled.

Secure migration: HTTP to HTTPS

However, this is not the only security-focused improvement for Google’s Chrome. The company also plans to improve security measures by automatically moving all http:// URLs to their more secure counterpart https://, according to the blog post. This protocol encrypts network traffic and strengthens public security. Interestingly, even though the link explicitly specifies an http:// connection, Chrome starts the update. If this transfer fails, Chrome returns the traditional http:// link. This feature is currently being tested in Chrome 115. The intention is to include it in future releases after thorough testing.

In addition, Google’s commitment to user security extends to downloading files. Chrome will soon include a warning mechanism in cases where users try to download “high-risk files” over an unsecured connection. These warning notices are due to be issued in mid-September. In the preview image shared by Google, you can see how these warnings are displayed.

Finally, Chrome’s immediate update equips users with a proactive alert system that detects missing extensions. This security-conscious approach is in line with Google’s broader goals of increasing user awareness and securing online interactions.