Google cracks down on phishing with new Chrome extension

Google has unveiled a new Chrome extension aimed at thwarting phishing attacks.

The free, open-source extension, called Password Alert, will send a warning whenever you type your Google password into a website outside of the Google domain. The service is designed to protect against unauthenticated emails and harmful websites that pose as real services in order to lure you into inadvertently turning over your password to hackers.

The extension will store a scrambled version of your Google password that it will cross-check anytime you punch a password into an outside site, according to a blog post. If the password is a match, it will hit you with a notification prompting you to reset your password immediately. Since the password is encrypted, performing the check won't actually reveal your password to the site. Read more...