Google Chrome will soon block hacking attempts on your network

Chrome new feature | Chrome upcoming feature | Google Chrome

Chrome’s new security feature aims to protect devices on your home network. (Express Photo)

Google is working on a new feature for Chrome that will prevent hacking attempts by nefarious public websites that target devices like printers and routers connected to a user’s internal private network.

While most people may think that devices connected to their home network are safe from cyberattacks since they are not directly connected to the internet, malicious actors often access and get control of unsecured devices.

To address the security vulnerability, Google recently listed on the Chrome Platform Status page that it is working on a new functionality called ‘Private network access checks for navigation requests’ that will check if the target device allows private network access. It will then monitor website requests to access these devices and make sure they are coming from a trusted source.

Google Chrome new security feature

Here’s what the blocked request will look like. (Image Source: Google)

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Initially, it will warn users if it comes across a request that is coming from an untrusted source to ensure things don’t break, but Google says once it’s ready, the functionality will automatically block such requests. The tech giant added that this feature is specifically for navigation requests.

If Chrome blocks such a request, Google says the page will show an error message that says ‘BLOCKED_BY_PRIVATE_NETWORK_ACCESS_CHECKS’.  However, users will be able to bypass the connection request by manually refreshing the page. While the new feature currently does not have a dedicated Chrome flag, the Chrome Platform Status page suggests the functionality will be available on both Android and the desktop with Chrome 123.

Recently, Google added three new features to Chrome that include a new AI-powered tab organiser, a writing assistant and a custom background generator.

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