Did you know that 60% of phishing websites are only online for 10 minutes or less?
Yes, you read that right. Just ten minutes.
This fact alone underlines just how rapidly cyber threats are evolving and how vital it is for us to stay ahead of the game.
We all know that phishing sites are fake sites that trick you into entering your login details. Or to get you to download malware. Or to verify information that may be used against you in the future.
The idea is that cyber criminals drive vast amounts of traffic to them… scam people… then take down the site before it can be detected.
Wouldn't it be great if we could spot these threats before they vanish into thin air and pop up elsewhere? Well, Google Chrome has a trick to help us do just that.
Imagine this: You're running your business, constantly on the move, making split-second decisions. You absent-mindedly visit a website that looks a little… odd. But you don't panic. You're using Google Chrome, which scans websites you visit against its list of malicious URLs.
But, uh oh. Google's list of bad websites is only updated every 30 to 60 minutes. That 60% of active phishing domains for just 10 minutes may slip through the net.
Enter Google Chrome's new security tool, Enhanced Safe Browsing.
As part of a recent update, Chrome has switched it on for everyone. It will now check URLs against a list of domains in real-time. Think of it as a cyber bodyguard who can spot and neutralize threats at lightning speed.
Google has confirmed that Enhanced Safe Browsing will continue to offer features like deep scans for files and protection from malicious extensions.
So, does this mean Google will know every URL you visit?
Well, honestly, yes. But while this new feature shares all your visited URLs with Google, they promise the information will not be used to power other features, including advertising. This is a proper balance between security and privacy. But, given the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, isn't it worth having an extra layer of protection?
NOTE: If you are a Where To Start client, we deploy tools to look at ALL internet-based traffic (not just the web traffic) for "new" domains and block them, thus keeping your privacy intact even without using Chrome.
We say embrace these new tools and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals but understand the pros and cons of their use. After all, the safety of all our businesses and the people who work within them depends on it.
If you need additional support protecting your business from phishing scams – or anything else – get in touch.
#GoogleChrome #PhishingDomains #SecurityTools
