Google has recently announced new Android security features that will help the users identify and avoid mobile scams. The new features will act as a shield for the users against fraudulent messages, fake bank calls, and attempts to steal sensitive information through screen sharing. The new Enhanced Protection mode in Google Messages uses Google’s cloud-based Gemini models through Private AI Compute to analyse suspicious conversations while maintaining user privacy. Additionally, Gemini Nano will help assess unfamiliar links using real-time web signals to identify potentially dangerous websites. Android is also expanding scam alerts in chat notifications and extending screen-sharing protection to Chrome and Android WebView. Here’s everything you need to know about the new scam protection tools from Google.
For protecting its users from the scams, Google has introduced the Enhanced Protection mode in its Google Messages. The new tool will help the users to identify more complex scams. To analyse suspicious conversations and detect potential fraud, the optional setting is said to use Google’s cloud-based Gemini models through Private AI Compute. Not only that, but the company also says that this additional analysis will work alongside the existing on-device security features, ensuring that the user data is kept private.
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While Google Messages already has a URL protection feature that flags links to known malicious and phishing websites Google is also taking a step further as it also introduces Gemini Nano in Android protections to assess unfamiliar links with real-time web signals. The feature is said to identify potentially dangerous websites that scammers have recently created and that may not yet appear on existing blocklists. Google is also updating warnings for links received from unknown numbers, giving users more time and information to decide whether a link is safe to open.
Other than that, the company is also working with Android device makers to expand the scam alerts in chat notifications. These alerts are expected to warn the users about suspicious messages before they open a messaging app.
Moreover, Android is also extending its screen-sharing protection to Chrome and Android WebView. This will let the system automatically hide sensitive login fields and payment screens to reduce the risk of exposing passwords and banking details during live screen-sharing sessions.
Another new safeguard will prevent apps from secretly enabling call forwarding in the background. Android will also warn users if they are tricked into entering a call-forwarding code that could redirect incoming calls and expose one-time passwords.
Note: The features will roll out in the upcoming days.