Google Deploys Gemini Nano AI to Combat Rising Online Scams in Chrome Browser
Google is leveraging its artificial intelligence capabilities to enhance security for Chrome users, rolling out new features powered by its Gemini Nano AI model to identify and block sophisticated online scams in real-time, the company announced Wednesday.
The new technology, part of Chrome’s Enhanced Protection feature, aims to detect and warn users about deceptive websites that might otherwise bypass traditional security measures. This comes as cybercriminals increasingly employ advanced techniques to create convincing fake websites that can fool even tech-savvy users.
“Scammers are getting more sophisticated in their tactics, creating convincing fake websites that can bypass traditional security measures,” wrote Royal Hansen, Google’s Vice President of Privacy, Safety and Security Engineering, in a company blog post. “We’re using AI to stay one step ahead.”
According to Google, the Gemini Nano model—a lightweight version of its AI system designed to run directly on devices—will analyze websites in real-time to detect telltale signs of fraud that might not be caught by conventional security tools. The technology examines multiple elements including page content, layout, and behavior patterns to identify potential scams.
The integration comes as scammers increasingly deploy tactics like creating pixel-perfect copies of legitimate websites or using techniques to evade detection by traditional security systems. Tech experts have noted that these sophisticated approaches have made it increasingly difficult for users to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent sites.
“Chrome’s Enhanced Protection will now use Gemini Nano on your device to analyze the contents of websites you visit and alert you if it detects a potential scam,” reported 9to5Google, noting that the technology works locally on users’ devices to preserve privacy.
The on-device processing represents a significant privacy advantage, as sensitive browsing data doesn’t need to be sent to Google’s servers for analysis. Engadget highlighted that “the AI runs locally on your device, so your data stays private.”
Chrome’s Enhanced Protection feature, which was initially introduced in 2020, already warns users about risky downloads, extensions, and websites. The new AI capabilities represent a significant upgrade to the system’s ability to detect emerging threats.
The rollout will begin with Chrome for Android, with the company planning to expand the feature to desktop versions in the coming months, according to TechCrunch. The publication noted that Google’s internal testing showed the AI system could “detect 25% more potentially malicious sites” than previous methods.
Yahoo Tech reported that the system will be particularly effective against “tech support scams, fake login pages, and fraudulent cryptocurrency sites,” which have become increasingly prevalent online threats.
Google’s move comes amid rising concerns about online scams, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting that Americans lost more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with a significant portion coming from online scams.
The technology represents part of a broader industry shift toward using artificial intelligence for cybersecurity applications, as companies race to deploy AI tools that can adapt to rapidly evolving threats more effectively than traditional rule-based security systems.
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