Google Safe Browsing is a Google security service that warns users about dangerous sites and files. Google uses it in products such as Chrome, Search, and Gmail.
What does Safe Browsing detect?
It covers three threat categories. Malware is software designed to harm devices or users. Unwanted software changes browser or system settings without consent. Social engineering means deceptive pages such as phishing that trick people into giving up sensitive data. Google also offers the service free of charge to developers for their own applications.
In its spam policies Google defines malware as software or an app specifically designed to harm a computer, a mobile device, the software on it, or its users. Sites with such content can rank lower or be removed from results.
Malware warning
A Safe Browsing warning, often called a malware warning, is a notice from Google, shown in Chrome or in search results, that a page may spread malware or deceive users. For a website this usually means a sharp drop in visits, because the warning appears before the page loads.
What should site owners do?
Search Console’s Security Issues report shows affected pages and sorts the problems into hacked content, malware and unwanted software, and social engineering. Google says affected sites can show a warning label in search results or an interstitial page in the browser.
After fixing all issues you request a review in the report. Google states that reviews can take several days or weeks and that you should not resubmit before the decision.
Example
An outdated plugin has a vulnerability. Attackers upload malicious code and redirect visitors to a phishing page. Search Console reports a security issue and Chrome shows visitors a warning. The owner cleans the files, applies updates, changes passwords, and requests the review.
FAQ
Is Safe Browsing free? Google states that it offers the service free of charge to developers and other companies for use in their applications.
How do I check whether a site is flagged? Google provides a Safe Browsing site status page in its Transparency Report where URLs can be looked up.
Sources
- Google Safe Browsingsafebrowsing.google.com
- Spam policies for Google web search (malware) - Google Search Centraldevelopers.google.com
- Security Issues report - Search Console Helpsupport.google.com
- Safe Browsing Site Status – Google Transparency Reporttransparencyreport.google.com
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