Google Chrome continues to enhance its security features, making it a more robust and user-friendly browser. Two key improvements, while not entirely new, are worth highlighting for their potential impact on your online safety: streamlined password sharing within family groups and biometric verification for online payments.
Sharing passwords securely with family members is now simpler than ever. Through Google Password Manager’s Share feature, you can easily send login credentials directly within your family group. This functionality is accessible on both mobile and desktop versions of Chrome. On your PC, navigate to Settings > Autofill and passwords > Google Password Manager. Select the desired password entry and click the Share button. A pop-up will appear, displaying your family group members for easy selection.
Google Password Manager – Family group sharing in Chrome on PC
While currently limited to family groups, this free feature addresses a common need for secure password sharing among trusted individuals. Expanding sharing options to include other Google users, similar to Google Drive’s sharing functionality, could further enhance this feature’s utility. This would be particularly helpful for sharing passwords with individuals outside your designated family group, especially given the current limit on family group members.
Another valuable security enhancement is the option for manual payment verification using biometrics or a PIN. This replaces the previous requirement of entering your credit card’s CVC number for every transaction. To enable this feature on your PC, go to Settings > Autofill and passwords > Payment methods and activate Manually verify every time you pay using autofill. This option is also available in the Chrome mobile browser.
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This added layer of security provides enhanced protection against unauthorized use of your stored payment information. While browsers have sometimes been criticized for less robust security compared to dedicated password managers, these updates significantly improve Chrome’s security posture.
For many users, Chrome serves as their primary platform for online activities, making these integrated security features highly valuable. These seemingly small tweaks contribute significantly to enhancing the overall security and user experience within the Chrome browser. By simplifying password sharing and strengthening payment verification, Google continues to improve Chrome’s security features for a safer online experience. These improvements highlight Google’s commitment to making online security more accessible and convenient for all users.
