In an attempt to increase its security protocols, Google is introducing new features to prevent users from navigating dangerous sites on the web. The tech company giant has made some upgrading to its Gmail service as well as improving the security platform focused on preventing malware, hacking and government warnings.
On Saturday, Google made its Safe Browsing service available for Gmail users, with the purpose of helping users identify dangerous links in messages and malicious websites. Considering the prolonged battle between Apple and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has made clear that government agencies try to obtain otherwise private information, Google may be on to something.
Google researches intend to increase its security to prevent hackers from cracking the code and thus, get access to users’ information without them knowing. And as technology grows rapidly, advanced encryption methods are needed in order to achieve the goal set by Google.
Gmail services offer users with encrypted channels for them to send their emails through, without concerning a third party can access the data. The new full-page warning introduced by Google warns users if the company suspects government agencies or hackers on the Internet are targeting them. The company giant recommends Gmail users that enable the two-factor authentication for their Gmail accounts if the warning appears on their screen. In addition, users can also set up the Security Key offered by Google in order to tighten the access to their data even more.
Google is known to have pushed other companies, if not all, to change towards the use of HTTPS, which allows a significantly safer choice when it comes to protect users from hackers. The HTTPS allows users not to worry about someone trying to intercept their data transfer. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that some hackers aren’t able to crack emailed encryption codes.
Encryption methods will soon be outmatched
According to a posting on Google’s blog, a study has revealed that email encryption still faces a significant threat in some malicious parts of the Internet. As a response to the imminent threat from hackers and malicious malware, Google has announced it will join forces with several industry partners to come up with a solution to the users’ privacy menace.
Google will team up with Microsoft, Comcast and Yahoo in an attempt to help ensure TLS encryption works as intended. By teaming up with other tech companies interested in finding safe haven from hackers and all the online threats found nowadays in the Internet, Google assures maximum efficiency to help its users protect their information.
Quantum computers put user’s privacy under menace
Yet, as Google’s security continues to fix its bugs and improve the protection of its data platforms, so does hackers adaptability to new safety measures. One significant factor that is currently threatening the encryption methods is the development of quantum computers, able to crack the code thanks to its complex mathematical reasoning.
However secure people think their information is with current encryption methods, the usual encryptions will not suffice as the quantum computers could allow the factoring of incredibly large numbers at a faster rate than current supercomputers. Furthermore, considering the fact researchers claim there aren’t any physical restrictions on the quantum computer’s scalability, the findings could pose a threat to encrypted data.
The vas majority of web security protocols rely on RSA encryption, where access to data is secured with two keys. The first key or ‘encryption key’ is public while the other is the ‘decryption key’ that keeps the information secret. The cryptosystem used to code information could possibly become obsolete in a matter of years, considering the rapid evolution of technology.
Source: Engadget