Google Immediately Fixs Security Gap On Autofill Password Feature In Chrome

Google Password Manager already has the option of Autentikasi with biometrics before filling in the password' in the Android settings. (photo: dock. google)

JAKARTA - Google Chrome on Android will soon provide a new security feature that allows users around the world to enable biometric authentication before the password is automated. This step will close the security gap that has been around, as biometric protection on the Google Password Manager only applies to apps, not in browsers.

Filling in passwords manually is often a hassle, so many people use autofill services from password managers to save time. But for security's sake, ideally users need to perform biometric authentication such as fingerprints or face scans before the password is automatically charged. This is important to prevent cell phone thieves from logging into accounts that have not been logged in.

Unfortunately, currently Google Chrome for Android is still filling in the password without asking for any authentication, even though Google Password Manager already has the option of Autentikasi with biometrics before filling in the password' in the Android settings. But the option only applies to apps, not to Chrome browsers, even though both use the same autofill service.

The good news is that Google will soon address this issue. Some users report that this biometric authentication option is now appearing on the Google Password Manager main settings page with a new name: Verify your identity to fill in the password. The description of this option states:

For additional protection, always use your fingerprints, faces, or screen keys when you enter using autofills (coming soon in Chrome).

While it is not yet clear whether this arrangement will immediately apply to Chrome or the browser will have its own toggle, this feature is certainly a hugely needed security improvement.

Earlier in October 2024, Google also announced that Chrome would block autofill passwords if cell phones were stolen, by leveraging the Identity Check feature on Android asking for biometric authentication when the phone is in an untrusted location. But the integration of Identity Check to Chrome is still not complete, and this new toggle appears to provide wider protection at any time without depending on the location of the phone.

With this feature, users can be calmer because the passwords in their Chrome browser will be protected by a biometric security layer before being automated.