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Google is pushing out a new version of its immeasurably popular browser, Google Chrome, that promises to make it easier to fix your weakest passwords. If you’re anything like us, the almost-constant news of data breaches and online hacks hasn’t pushed you to triple-check the passwords you use for your online account. And, if you’ve been online long enough, chances are there are some real clunkers in the mix. That’s where the latest feature from Google Chrome comes in …provided that you have any saved passwords left.
If you’re running Chrome version 88, the browser now includes an option that automatically scans your saved login details to check for any weak or compromised passwords. If the check finds anything, you’ll only have to click a single button to be sent o the relevant site, where you can change your password to something more secure. In fact, Google is able to make a suggestion for a totally random password filled with letters, numbers and symbols.
The new feature should make it easier to fix multiple logins. If you’ve re-used the same email and password combination across multiple websites – only one of these needs to be breached for all of your other accounts to be vulnerable. This is why security experts warn against re-using the same login details (even though that makes it much easier to remember your login). Using the same password for a number of different web apps and sites also means you’ve got a lot more admin on your plate when a breach does occur. Thankfully, by highlighting all of the problematic logins, Chrome should make it a little easier to find exactly which accounts need to be updated to a unique login.
Of course, this feature won’t be all that handy if you don’t rely on Google Chrome to remember your login details.
A number of third-party password managers, like the excellent 1Password and LastPass, already offer this functionality. These applications store all of your login information in a secure vault – so you can have unique, impossible to remember passwords for all of your accounts while only needing to recall a single one (the password for the vault itself). Both 1Password and LastPass will flag any duplicate passwords as well as warn when a website is known to have suffered a breach or leak.
These applications are well worth a look if you haven’t asked Chrome to save your passwords. Both are subscription-based, although LastPass offers a free tier and 1Password has a 15-day free trial period.
Having a unique password for every account not only means you’re better protected against hacks, but it also means you’ll be able to share logins – with friends or family – without compromising every site you use.
Google outlines latest Chrome updates to keep users safe
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Jake Moore, Cybersecurity Specialist at ESET said: “Password security remains a huge challenge for organisations around the world and a massive threat to individuals too. One of the biggest challenges facing new users with a password manager is the thought of it taking them too long or being difficult to set up. One trap people still fall into is using the same or a variation of the same password across their online accounts which brings all sorts of problem. Passwords are in desperate need of an overhaul therefore this new move by Google may be the first step in making things easier for people in using unique, strong passwords.”
As always, Chrome 88 is slowly rolling out worldwide, so it might take a little while to land on your machine. With almost 64 percent of all desktop web traffic from Google Chrome, the Californian company staggers the roll out of its new updates to avoid any issues (it halted all feature-packed updates at the start of the pandemic over fears that it could break something and leave millions working, studying and socialising online indoors without a connection). Google says to expect Chrome 88 to be running on your machine “in the coming weeks”.
Desktop and iPhone owners are expected to be first in line to receive the new version, with Android getting the update “soon,” Google adds.
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