Google launch Password Alert extension for Chrome

Google have just launched Password Alert, a free, open-source Chrome extension that protects your Google and Google Apps for Work Accounts from Phishing attacks. When you have installed Password Alert you will be shown a warning if you type your Google password into a website that isn’t a Google sign-in page.

Google state “Here’s how it works for consumer accounts. Once you’ve installed and initialized Password Alert, Chrome will remember a “scrambled” version of your Google Account password. It only remembers this information for security purposes and doesn’t share it with anyone. If you type your password into a site that isn’t a Google sign-in page, Password Alert will show you a notice like the one below.”

“This alert will tell you that you’re at risk of being phished so you can update your password and protect yourself.”

For Google for Work customers Google state “Password Alert is also available to Google for Work customers, including Google Apps and Drive for Work. Your administrator can install Password Alert for everyone in the domains they manage, and receive alerts when Password Alert detects a possible problem. This can help spot malicious attackers trying to break into employee accounts and also reduce password reuse. Administrators can find more information in the Help Center.”

Since 2 percent of emails received in Gmail are phishing emails, anything that helps combat one of the main scourges of the internet is a good thing. To down load the Password Alert extension click here.