Google Adds Barebones Antivirus Protection To Chrome Browser For Windows

Google Chrome might be the most popular web browser in the world, but it has long been criticized for the app bloat that has accumulated over the years and its negative impact on resources and battery life. The "bloat" is about to increase again today, although Google says that the latest addition to Chrome should help protect your system from attacks.

The Google team says now detailing three feature updates in Chrome for Windows that helps users "recover from unwanted software infections". The first addition comes in the form of a background monitor that can determine if an extension has changed your browser settings without first getting your permission. If Chrome detects modifications, it will alert you with a dialog box that will allow you to roll back the changes.

Google also redesigned its Chrome Cleanup feature, which can alert users if a software package that they are downloading has known "unwanted software" bundle in. Chrome Cleanup is capable of removing the offending software and restoring your settings back to the default if they were altered.

In addition, Google announced that it has now teamed up with the ESET to incorporates its technology into Chrome Cleanup. ESET provides PC antivirus and internet security solutions, and this partnership with Google will help to strengthen Chrome's malware detection prowess.

"We can now detect and remove more unwanted software than ever before, meaning more people can benefit from Chrome Cleanup," writes Google. "Note this new sandboxed engine is not a general-purpose antivirus—it only removes software that doesn’t comply with our unwanted software policy."

If you're currently running Google Chrome on supported Windows platforms, an update is being pushed out today to allow you to take advantage of these new security features.