New antivirus engine used by one of the most popular web browsers in the world, apparently, stirred privacy concerns among users due to the discreet nature of the tool.
In recent years, the number of Google Chrome users became aware of the fact that not only their browser allows them to surf the web, it also quietly scans your personal files without prior consent.
According to motherboard, the culprit turned out to be an updated version of the cleaning tool Chrome, which uses software cybersecurity company ESET for files scans a user looking for malware targeting the browser. If suspected malware program, cleaning program, and then sends the metadata of the suspicious file to Google and asks the user permission to avoid potential threats.
This development came to light when an expert on cybersecurity, Kelly Shortridge noticed that chrome actually scans the files located in the documents folder on her computer.
“In the current environment, it really shocked me that so Google will quietly roll out this feature without the promulgation of a more detailed documentation—even just preventively to weaken speculation,” she said motherboard. Shortridge noted that while their goal was “clearly about” security, “lack of agreement and transparency seem to violate their own criteria user-friendly software.”
However, the head of Google Chrome security Justin Schuh, insisted that the sole purpose of cleaning is to fight against the “manipulated software” in the browser.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
