Warning for billions of Google Chrome and Safari users – don’t ignore ‘4-check’ alert

EXPERTS have urged Google Chrome and Safari users to check four key things to ensure their privacy is secure.

Cyber specialists at Malwarebytes Labs told users to be careful about what they share about themselves online.

Users can also check the settings on their smartphone’s internet browser, to make sure they’re protected across devices

“We know that information is not always protected as much as it should be, and it seems like we hear about a new data breach every day,” the cybersecurity experts said.

“It’s up to us to defend our privacy as much as we can online.”

They recommend users to first identify what they are happy to share on the internet before getting to work on their privacy settings.

“Many of us are leaking information about ourselves and our online behaviour almost constantly,” they said.

“As a guide, if you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t put it online.”

Next, experts told users to check their browser settings.

Google Chrome and Safari will have a few privacy and security settings switched on, but not all of them.

Internet users are also advised to review their extensions, which is software that add features onto a browser.

Remove the extensions that are not used, experts added, as vulnerable or “malicious add-ons can easily become a privacy and security risk” in future.

However, some extensions can help users establish more privacy online.

Extensions like ad-blockers and anti-tracking tools can add an extra cushion for privacy.

Security experts encouraged the use of certain extensions as their third tip, which can be found in the ‘app stores’ of browsers.

Lastly, the cyber specialists told browser users to do periodic check-ins with their privacy settings and browser add-ons.

“One thing to keep in mind if you are rolling out extra precautions is to stay aware of their existence and not take them for granted,” they continued.

“Check for updates on a regular basis, make sure they are working properly, and don’t blindly rely on them.

“It’s like speeding in a car, just because you have a seatbelt on.

“It does make it safer, but you still don’t want to get involved in an accident.”

Users can also check the settings on their smartphone’s internet browser, to make sure they’re protected across devices.

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