Chrome’s new scam warnings: what changed and how to turn them on

On October 20, Google announced three new scam defenses for Chrome (Google Security Blog). They’re useful, but there’s a catch: all three are for people who use Chrome’s Enhanced protection, which isn’t Chrome’s default setting.

How to turn on Enhanced protection

On a computer (Chrome Help):

1. Open Chrome and click More (the three dots, top right), then Settings.
2. Click Privacy and security, then Security.
3. Under Safe Browsing, select Enhanced protection.

On Android or iPhone: in Chrome, tap More, then Settings, then Privacy and security, then Safe Browsing, and choose Enhanced protection.

What you give up

Enhanced protection sends more data to Google than Standard protection: the URLs you visit, a small sample of page content, extension activity and some system information, so Google can check for threats in real time. Google says this is “only used for security purposes” (Chrome Help). If you’re signed in, it can also extend protection to your Google Account, including Gmail.

That’s a real trade-off. For most people, especially anyone who’s set up a parent’s or grandparent’s computer, we think the protection is worth it.

The rule that beats any warning

No real company asks you to copy a command into PowerShell, Terminal or the Run box to fix your browser, verify you’re human or install an update. If a web page asks you to do that, close it.

Prices checked on 2026-10-23.

Sources

• Official Google Security Blog: Our latest defenses against evolving web scams, Oct 20, 2026
• Official Chrome Help: Choose your Safe Browsing protection level (checked Oct 23, 2026)