Malware and Phishing Warnings in Chrome Browser to be changed by Google

Google normally displays a malware and phishing warning in the Chrome browser. There are plans, though, to alter the display. Currently it’s a white warning against a red background. The new display will be an entirely red page, with a big X at the display’s top. These warnings tell the user that the site they’re about to visit may try to install malware or con you into giving up personal information.

The new warning, like the current one, gives users the option to skip it and go to the website, but they must first acknowledge what they’re about to do.

Though a date for the changes hasn’t been set, they can be viewed on the Dev and Canary builds of Chrome.

The changes are designed to better indicate to users that an attack might happen, rather than make them think that one already has happened. After all, a malware warning should not scare you away, but instead, inform. Nevertheless, many malware warnings get ignored anyways.

A study showed that people were twice as likely to bypass a warning if the website was already part of their browsing history. This indicates that users are not so likely to believe that a previously visited, and especially popular, site could be threatening.

The study recommends that warnings should be formulated to let people know that even “high-reputation websites” can be malicious, poised to download a virus or deceive you into giving out your Social Security number.

The malware and phishing warnings on Chrome will perhaps always be in a state of further development.

Robert Siciliano is an identity theft expert to TheBestCompanys.com discussing  identity theft prevention. For Roberts FREE ebook text- SECURE Your@emailaddress -to 411247. Disclosures.