Google Chrome is making this controversial change to keep you safe

Google Chrome is making this controversial change to go on you safe

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Google is experimenting with the way URLs are displayed in Chrome, and with the browser'southward next update yous can look to come across cutting down web addresses.

With Chrome 86, Google is expected to tweak the accost bar and so that information technology only shows the website's domain, not the full address of the spider web page you are on. Google is making the motion in order to make it easier for users to spot when they've landed on a phishing site.

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By cutting long URLs, Google reckons it'll be easier to see the discrepancies in a URL that would requite away a fraudulent site.

For instance, Chrome might only bear witness 'tomsguide.com' rather than 'https://www.tomsguide.com/uk/news/iphone-12', which should make it easier to spot whether a site is legitimate or it's a dodgy domain.

"At that place are myriad ways that attackers can manipulate URLs to confuse users about a website's identity, which leads to rampant phishing, social applied science, and scams. In one study, more than lx% of users were fooled when a misleading make proper name appeared in a URL's path," Google's Chromium blog explained.

"Our goal is to understand -- through real-world usage -- whether showing URLs this way helps users realize they're visiting a malicious website, and protects them from phishing and social engineering attacks."

Volition there be a backfire?

Such a motion might annoy some hardcore Chrome users who like to see the whole URL of the site they are on. Only Google's modify may not exist a permanent 1, as it'll be tested in Chrome Beta. And if this upgrade proves to be unpopular or user-unfriendly then Google could reverse grade.

Google besides noted the URL reduction tin be turned off in Chrome's settings, and that if you hover your cursor over the URL it volition be displayed in full.

While the URL feature will exist tested in September, Chrome 86 is expected to land in October.

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Roland Moore-Colyer is U.K. Editor at Tom's Guide with a focus on news, features and opinion manufactures. He oft writes almost gaming, phones, laptops and other bits of hardware; he's also got an involvement in cars. When not at his desk Roland can be constitute wandering around London, frequently with a look of curiosity on his face.