Recently, a new security feature arrived on Google Chat. This feature would prove useful in keeping phishing attacks at bay by informing users of any untrusted link sent to them. Once such a link enters a user’s direct message, a notification pops up, alerting the user of the dangers of opening such a link. Since users can’t determine how secure a link sent to them is, this feature will scan the security strength of these links in seconds.
This move by Google is one that other messaging application developers need to take a cue from. More than ever before, cybercrimes are on the rise and more users are at risk of being affected. These links, riddled with malware and phishing tools can easily make away with user data once opened on a browser.
The spread of these links is difficult to curb since they mostly come as messages forwarded from one user to another.
WhatsApp on its part is working on a feature that can help curb the spread of similarly insecure links among its users. The Meta owned company is doing this by limiting the number of links that a user can share in a day. Although this does not mean that these suspicious links cannot still reach the public, imagine pairing this new Google Chat security feature with that of WhatsApp. This presents a very good opportunity to turn fake news. Especially the kind that read; “The federal government has awarded you N17,500 for X relief fund, click here to get yours now.”
This new feature from Google Chat is a step in the right direction for the application and its users. Uninvestigated phishing attacks are responsible for the theft of variable data and money from unsuspecting victims. It’d be lovely to see more security features like these roll out on other messaging apps in the nearest future.