Safe browsing checks in Chrome
Over the last few years I have seen how internet security has adapted to the challenges that constantly emerge. Google Chrome, in its latest update, introduces significant changes that seek to optimize security without sacrificing the user experience. Below, I detail these advances from my personal perspective, explaining their impact and how they are implemented.
Asynchronous checks: Speed and security
The first big news is the introduction of asynchronous security checks in Chrome 122. Traditionally, when accessing a web page, Chrome performs a series of checks to make sure the site is secure before allowing us to view its content. These checks, although crucial for our security, can sometimes slow down the loading of pages. However, with the new update, these controls will take place in the background, allowing the site to start loading without waiting. This improvement not only speeds up access to content but also opens doors to implement more advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, thus improving the detection of fraudulent sites without compromising speed.
Sub-resource Evaluation: Lower frequency, higher efficiency
Another relevant change is the modification in the way Chrome evaluates page sub-resources, such as images and scripts. Previously, each of these elements was checked individually, which could increase loading time and bandwidth usage. My analysis is that, given the decline in malicious campaigns that exploit these sub-resources, Google has decided to reduce the frequency of these checks. This not only decreases the amount of data Chrome needs to process, but also simplifies threat detection logic, improving the reliability of the secure browsing infrastructure and, therefore, user security.
PDF Downloads: Reduced Checkups
The frequency with which Chrome contacts safe browsing servers to verify PDF downloads has also decreased. Given the evolution in the security of PDF viewers, which include protection measures such as execution in isolated environments (sandboxing), the risk associated with this type of files has decreased significantly. This reduction in checks is a reflection of a reality where PDFs are no longer considered a major threat, which in turn significantly reduces the load on Google servers and improves our browsing experience by reducing interruptions.
Impact and expectations
These updates, although technical, have a direct impact on our daily experience on the internet. Google’s promise to maintain a balance between security and usability seems to be being fulfilled with these changes. Personally, I appreciate the initiative to streamline processes without compromising security, and I look forward to seeing how these improvements translate into smoother and safer browsing for everyone.