Chrome will now prompt some users to send passwords for suspicious files

(credit: Chrome)

Google is redesigning Chrome malware detections to include password-protected executable files that users can upload for deep scanning, a change the browser maker says will allow it to detect more malicious threats.

Google has long allowed users to switch on the Enhanced Mode of its Safe Browsing, a Chrome feature that warns users when they’re downloading a file that’s believed to be unsafe, either because of suspicious characteristics or because it’s in a list of known malware. With Enhanced Mode turned on, Google will prompt users to upload suspicious files that aren’t allowed or blocked by its detection engine. Under the new changes, Google will prompt these users to provide any password needed to open the file.

Beware of password-protected archives

In a post published Wednesday, Jasika Bawa, Lily Chen, and Daniel Rubery of the Chrome Security team wrote: