Are you safe on Google Chrome? Not a bit! Know 5 ways to stay secure online

If you are a Google Chrome user, you must try out these 5 ways to stay safe online.

Know how you can stay safe online if you are using Google Chrome. (Unsplash)

Which web browser do you use to explore the internet? People use the internet to find the answers to their questions and almost everything else. But exploring the internet is not always safe. One wrong click can cause you severe harm including financial losses and leakage of personal details. However, if you are a Google Chrome user you can use some of the ways to stay safe online. Explaining how safe Chrome is, Google said in a blog post, "We designed Chrome to be secure by default, protecting you from dangerous and deceptive sites that might steal your passwords or infect your device." There are also several ways that you can use to make sure you stay safe online. Check 5 best ways to stay secure online on Google Chrome.

1. Keep updating Google Chrome

Like every other application, security engineers work to keep Chrome safe against the latest threats, by working on updates and improvements. And these updates and improvements come out at least every two weeks. Chrome checks for updates regularly, and when one is available, Chrome downloads it immediately and then applies it when you close and reopen the browser. But if you haven't closed your browser in a while, you may have a pending update visible in the upper right corner of the browser window. To apply the update, click “Update” or simply close and reopen Chrome.

2. Keep strong password

Using a password manager (even if it's not Google's) will help you store and use a strong, unique password for each site you log into. Google Password Manager can suggest and save a strong, unique password of gobbledygook (like KZamPPzj43T9mQM). Then, Chrome will autofill the password next time you need it — on any device. Chrome should suggest a new strong password when creating a new account, or you can always right click in the password field and click “Suggest Password.”

3. Keep note of Chrome's download warnings

Chrome warns its users about dangerous downloads when possible. When you see a download warning, you can still download the file, but it is recommended not to do so. Computers are often compromised by malware because people misunderstand or ignore warnings.

4. Use the browser with Enhanced security protection

To be even more secure while browsing the web in Chrome, turn on Enhanced Safe Browsing protection in your Chrome settings. It substantially increases protection from dangerous websites and downloads by sharing real-time data with Safe Browsing. If you're signed in, Chrome and other Google apps you use (Gmail, Drive, etc) will be able to provide improved protection based on a holistic view of threats you encounter on the web and attacks against your Google Account, according to the blog post.

5. Use 2-step verification

Two-factor authentication can use your phone to add an extra step to verify that it's you when you sign in. Signing in with both a password and a second step on your phone protects against password-stealing scams. If you sign into Chrome with a Google Account, be sure that you're enrolled in 2-step verification to protect your account.