Chrome’s new security feature warns users about lookalike URLs

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Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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It seems that typosquatting and IDN homograph attacks are going to be impossible onChromenow. Thinking how? WithChrome‘s newsecurityfeature code namedNavigation suggestions for lookalike URLs.

This newsecurityfeature was developed to prevent lookalike malware or similar domain hacking onChrome.

What is a lookalike URL?

Lookalike URLs are URLs similar to URLs of popularsites. These fake URLs are designed to support malware attacks such asdata phishing. By data stealing, one means stealing of sensitive information like your username and password.

But how do these lookalike URLs work?

These lookalike URLs direct the user to an unregisteredwebsitethat is cunningly built to steal sensitive information of users. Surprisingly there is a minute difference between the original and fake URL.

Users cannot even perceive that they are visiting a fakesite. Here’s an example: the original PayPal.com versus the fake PayPa1.com. This is termed as homograph attack.

Chrome declares war to lookalike URLs

However, with this newsecurityfeature,Chromeengineers are confident to give crooks a strong hit back. With this security update,Chromealgorithms will determine if the searched URL is a lookalike URL.

If the results are positive, then a notification box will appear below theChromesearch bar asking users “Did you mean to go to [URL].”

If users take into account this alert, they can protect themselves fromphishing attacks.

It is not yet confirmed that when would this feature be officially available for all the users. Once launched it would be available by default. However, you can manually enable it while it is in the testing phase. To enable it, go to this search address: chrome://flags/#enable-lookalike-url-navigation-suggestions.

Chrome is an excellent browser. Google takes all the necessary measures to ensure thesecurityof its users’ data. Enable thisChromesecurityfeature to shield yourself from the dangers of lookalike URLs and enjoy a safe browsing experience.

Chrome’s new security feature warns users about lookalike URLs#

What is a lookalike URL?#

But how do these lookalike URLs work?#

Chrome declares war to lookalike URLs#

Chrome’s new security feature warns users about lookalike URLs

What is a lookalike URL?

But how do these lookalike URLs work?

Chrome declares war to lookalike URLs