Chrome to Warn Users Before Opening 'Suspicious' Sites

Chrome labels a site suspicious when it detects qualities similar to other sites associated with phishing, malware and scams. Google describes the judgment behind that warning as a "lower confidence verdict" with a possible risk of harm to the user, meaning the site may have been flagged incorrectly; users should continue only if they are certain it is safe. Warnings for "dangerous" sites carry a higher-confidence verdict and a "high risk of user harm," and Google says such sites should be avoided entirely.

The two notices are designed to be told apart at a glance. A suspicious-site warning appears as a pop-up window on both desktop and mobile, with the webpage visible but darkened underneath, and offers a "Mark as safe" option for sites a user believes were flagged by mistake. The existing dangerous-site warning takes up almost the entire screen and replaces the webpage with a solid red background.

The download warnings introduced in 2024 follow the same logic, showing visually different notifications for blocked files depending on whether they are judged suspicious or dangerous.

Google also said it improved its Gemini-powered scam detection for users of Enhanced Protection alongside the redesigned browser warnings. The Verge reported that it was unclear whether the suspicious-site notices are available to all Chrome users or only to those enrolled in Enhanced Protection, and that it had asked Google to clarify.