Google Chrome Adds Gemini AI Scam Detection and ClickFix Protection

Google Chrome is getting new security features that use AI to detect online scams, identify suspicious websites, and warn users before they run malicious commands.

The improvements target Chrome users who enable Enhanced Protection, which Google says makes them 10 times safer from phishing, social engineering, and other online scams compared to Standard Protection users.

Chrome introduces new suspicious website warnings

According to Google’s latest security announcement, Chrome now distinguishes between suspicious and dangerous websites.

Suspicious websites receive warnings when Chrome detects potentially deceptive behavior but cannot confidently classify the site as malicious.

Dangerous websites, which pose a higher risk, continue to trigger Chrome’s familiar full-page red warning screen.

Google uses different colors, icons, and warning messages to help users understand the level of risk before visiting a website.

Gemini AI expands scam detection

Google is also expanding Chrome’s Gemini-powered scam detection to identify fake antivirus warnings and fraudulent browser update pages.

Previously, the feature primarily targeted technical support scams.

Chrome now uses a more powerful server-side Gemini model instead of relying solely on on-device processing. The model examines suspicious pages for brand impersonation, deceptive content, and other scam indicators.

Chrome combines Gemini’s analysis with domain reputation and additional security signals before deciding whether to warn users.

Google says Chrome only sends page content for analysis when it detects strong scam indicators. The company also says it does not store this information or use it to train AI models.

Chrome now detects ClickFix attacks

Another improvement targets ClickFix attacks, which trick users into copying and executing malicious commands.

These scams often display fake browser errors or verification instructions that direct users to run commands through Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.

With Enhanced Protection enabled, Chrome can analyze suspicious commands when users copy them and display a warning if it identifies a potential threat.

Google designed the detection system to reduce false positives and avoid interrupting legitimate command-line operations.

How to enable Chrome’s new security features

Users can access these protections by opening Chrome’s Settings, navigating to Privacy and security, selecting Security, and enabling Enhanced protection under Safe Browsing.

The improvements arrive as Google continues changing Chrome’s security controls. The company is also testing an option to temporarily disable Safe Browsing protection.

Meanwhile, the latest Chrome 155 update fixes 37 security vulnerabilities, including seven critical flaws.

Beyond security, ChatGPT can now access Chrome tabs and automate browser tasks, adding new AI-powered capabilities to the browsing experience.