Google strengthens Chrome user protection with new AI-powered tools to combat online scams.
Integration of Gemini Nano for Enhanced Chrome Security
A key component of this enhanced security push is the integration of Gemini Nano, an AI-powered large language model that operates on-device. Currently available on desktop versions of Chrome, it provides additional protection for users who have opted into Enhanced Protection mode. This mode offers doubled protection against phishing and other threats compared to the standard mode.
Gemini Nano enables immediate analysis of potentially risky websites, allowing it to warn users about scam sites that haven't been cataloged previously. Google experts noted that Gemini Nano's ability to understand the complex nature of websites makes it ideal for adapting quickly to new scam tactics.
AI Notifications for Malicious Alerts
The risk from malicious sites doesn’t end when you leave the page. Scam websites often attempt to push persistent notifications if enabled by users. To combat this, Google is launching new AI-powered warnings specifically for Chrome on Android.
Chrome will now use an on-device machine learning model to flag notifications that appear malicious, spammy, or misleading. When a potentially scammy notification is detected, users will receive a warning allowing them to block the notification or view the flagged content.
Fighting Online Scams Beyond the Browser
Google’s use of AI to combat scams isn’t limited to Chrome. The company also reported deploying AI in Google Search to detect and block millions of scammy results daily. These AI-powered systems have significantly increased the detection rate, catching 20 times more scammy pages compared to previous methods.
For instance, Google noted a rise in scams where bad actors impersonate airline customer service agents. By utilizing AI, Google has managed to reduce the appearance of scammy phone numbers in Search results for these queries by over 80%.
The deployment of advanced AI models like Gemini Nano marks a significant step forward in scam protection. As online threats become more sophisticated, leveraging AI allows for more dynamic and proactive defenses. These advancements are aimed at making the online experience safer for users.
