Google Chrome Automatically Replaces Compromised Passwords

Google is rolling out a new feature in the Chrome browser that alerts you to compromised passwords and automatically replaces them with a safer alternative.

Lots of AI talk during Google I/O, but there’s also room for security. Google announces a new feature for the built-in password manager in the Chrome browser that detects weak passwords and replaces them with a stronger alternative, if you give permission.

123456

Creating strong passwords is one of the basic rules for digital security. Coming up with a strong password doesn’t have to be difficult, but because each account requires a unique password, people still too often opt for a simple password they can remember.

Believe it or not, 123456 is still the most commonly used password worldwide. An attacker doesn’t even need powerful equipment to crack that in no time.

Automatic Change

A password manager can help you create and remember strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. Such functionality is built into the Chrome browser with Google Password Manager. Google is expanding the built-in Chrome password manager with a feature to automatically change weak and compromised passwords. Google explains how this works in a blog and a video.

When Chrome detects that your password has been compromised in a data breach during login, Google Password Manager gives you the option to automatically reset the password. The password manager itself suggests a stronger alternative. With a simple mouse click, you can accept that suggestion, updating and saving the new password in Chrome.

Google is gradually rolling out the feature to Chrome users over the course of this year. The feature will only work on “supported websites”. Which websites fall under this category is not specified.

World without Passwords

The security world has long since moved away from passwords, precisely because many people still violate the basic rules. Google too dreams of a world without passwords. Since 2023, you can already log in to your Google account without a password using a passkey.

This alternative should replace passwords in the long term, but it’s not yet widely adopted. Until passkeys are ready to secure the digital world, you still need to make an effort to create a strong password for each account. With these tips we set you on the right path.