Web browsers like Chrome and Edge are working on new features that use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to better warn users about phishing websites. These features are designed to detect scams using a technology called Large Language Model (LLM) and Machine Learning. However, as of now, these features are not yet widely available or activated by default.
Users have noticed these features while exploring the browsers. In Chrome, the scam detection feature is currently available only in the Canary version, which is a testing version of the browser. It is not enabled by default, but users can turn it on through the settings by navigating to chrome://flags.
The detection works on the user’s device, analyzing websites using LLM to identify fake sites designed to steal login information, often mimicking well-known sites like Microsoft’s. The exact details of how this detection works and how it alerts users are not yet fully disclosed. It is also unclear when this feature will be included in the stable version of Chrome.
Similarly, in a preview version of Edge, a feature known as the Scareware Blocker is being tested. This feature is also not enabled by default. Scareware refers to malicious programs that scare users into thinking their computer is infected with viruses, prompting them to take actions such as giving away login details. If the detection system identifies a threat, it will alert users with a warning message. Microsoft has mentioned that if a site is actually safe, users can add it to a list of exceptions.
As with Chrome, the specifics of how Edge’s scareware blocker works are not fully explained. It is also not clear when this protection feature will be available to all Edge users.
These developments are part of an ongoing effort to combat phishing, a common online threat where attackers attempt to trick users into revealing sensitive information. Phishing attacks often involve fake websites that look like legitimate ones, aiming to steal passwords and other personal data.
Phishing is a significant problem because it exploits human trust and can lead to severe consequences, such as identity theft or financial loss. By using AI, browsers aim to provide a more robust defense against these attacks, making it harder for scammers to succeed.
AI technologies like LLM can analyze large amounts of data and recognize patterns that might indicate a website is fraudulent. This can include looking at the website’s design, the language used, and other factors that might suggest it’s not legitimate.
Despite the potential of these AI-driven features, there are challenges. Implementing them in a way that doesn’t affect browser performance is crucial. Additionally, ensuring that the detection is accurate and doesn’t produce too many false positives (where legitimate sites are flagged as suspicious) is important to maintain user trust.
As browsers continue to develop these features, users are encouraged to stay vigilant and use other security measures, such as two-factor authentication and keeping their software updated, to protect themselves online.
In conclusion, while Chrome and Edge are making strides in using AI to fight phishing, these features are still in development. Users can look forward to more secure browsing experiences in the future as these technologies become more refined and widely implemented.