Google is working on a major security update that will introduce a total of seven new features chrome for desktop and iOS.
Four of those features are currently making their way to desktop users, and they all leverage the company’s password manager software. Be sure to keep an eye out for the patch once it arrives.
Starting at the top, the password manager will have a new home in Chrome’s settings menu. There, users can manage their access data or adjust their security settings. However, if you prefer a more direct approach, “You [can] Create a desktop shortcut for Google Password Manager. according to post.
The tech giant is also adding the ability to take notes for specific logins. For example, let’s say you have multiple accounts for a website, but you’re having a hard time remembering every single detail. You can click the key icon in Chrome’s address bar to open a context menu that shows your notes with those details. You can make changes by clicking the pencil icon.
Next, the company will allow users to import passwords from third-party managers into Chrome on desktop. The Google help page states that users must first convert their credentials to a CSV file before they can upload anything to the browser. Detailed instructions can be found on the Chrome Help Website.
However, it seems that the tool can only pull your information from specific apps. These apps are Microsoft Edge, safari, 1password, Bitwarden, dashlane And LastPass. No word on future plans to support other sources.
Soon
The final three additions will arrive later in the year.
First, Chrome on desktop gets biometric authentication, previously only available on the mobile app. Google states that enabling this feature adds a second “layer of security against” auto-filling of credentials. Which types of biometric authentication Chrome supports ultimately depends on your computer. For example, if you have a laptop with a fingerprint reader, you can use the browser to log into accounts using just your fingerprint.
On iOS, Chrome’s password verification begins flagging failed logins. The tool prompts you to change your information when it detects a weak, reused, or compromised password. The rest of the iOS update consists of minor design changes to make some things easier. The autofill prompts get bigger and every time you check your saved credentials in settings it says “multiple saved accounts for one site”. [now] grouped together.”
We’ve reached out to Google for more information on when both the biometric authentication extension and the iOS patch will be released. This story will be updated at a later date.
