Google's New Chrome Warning Stops Malware Before You Download
As long as the internet has existed – and indeed before – there've been viruses. Malware – malicious software – has been a plague on the digital universe since inception, and Google hopes to help to put and end to it. With a new red flag set in place this month, Google Chrome will warn you when you're about to visit a website that has malware downloads. This is not the first such system Google has put in place, but it is the most advanced.
Google has updated its Unwanted Software Policy. As part of their Software Principals line of rules, they "provide general recommendations for software that delivers a great user experience." Malware is not a part of that experience.
ABOVE: "You Shall Not Pass" Original illustration by Entroz.
The following characteristics are found in Google's definition of Unwanted Software:
• It is deceptive, promising a value proposition that it does not meet.
• It tries to trick users into installing it or it piggybacks on the installation of another program.
• It doesn't tell the user about all of its principal and significant functions.
• It affects the user's system in unexpected ways.
• It is difficult to remove.
• It collects or transmits private information without the user's knowledge.
• It is bundled with other software and its presence is not disclosed.
Software, Google suggests, must have a transparent installation process and upfront disclosure. Software downloads from the internet should all be easy to uninstall, and all behavior of said software should be clear. As Google suggests, "Once installed, software should behave as expected and deliver a clear value proposition to the user."
"Software that collects or transmits a user's personal information," says Google, "must be transparent about doing so."
Above you'll see the warning page that'll pop up if a webpage is found to be distributing malicious software. This page will pop up and essentially block said webpage from loading.
This is not an end-all be-all solution for malware, mind you, and you can't count on ONE system to protect you from everything – so stay wary and stay safe!