Google Enhances Chrome Security for Android with Advanced Protection
Google has outlined how its Advanced Protection program now integrates with Chrome for Android, highlighting significant security upgrades aimed at protecting high-risk users from sophisticated threats.
Earlier this year, with the release of Android 16, Google expanded Advanced Protection to the device level, offering system-wide safeguards for individuals who are more likely to be targeted by spyware and surveillance attacks. Once enabled in Android 16 settings, the feature enhances security across all major Google apps, including Chrome, Messages, and Phone.
Although Chrome version 137 for Android introduced these protections, Google had not previously explained how they worked—until now.
What Advanced Protection Does in Chrome for Android
According to the Chrome Security team, enabling Advanced Protection activates the following key features:
1. Enforcing Secure Connections
Chrome is forced to use HTTPS for all websites—public and private—and displays a warning when users attempt to connect over unencrypted HTTP. This protects against man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks, where adversaries could intercept or tamper with web traffic.
2. Full Site Isolation
Each website is placed in a separate process, isolating it from others—even if a renderer exploit occurs. On devices with 4GB RAM or more, site isolation is enabled by default. On lower-memory devices, it can be manually activated through Advanced Protection settings.
3. JavaScript Optimization and Security
Advanced Protection disables high-level JavaScript compilers in Chrome’s V8 engine, reducing the browser’s attack surface. While these optimizations typically boost performance, they’ve also been linked to a significant number of exploitable vulnerabilities. Google estimates that disabling them mitigates roughly 50% of such attacks without noticeably affecting site performance.
Manual Options Still Available
The HTTPS enforcement and JavaScript hardening features have actually been available since Chrome version 133, tucked away under Privacy and Security settings. Users can enable them manually even without enrolling in Advanced Protection.
In addition, site isolation is automatically triggered—regardless of settings—when users log in or submit forms, as these actions are considered high-risk by default.
Who Should Use Advanced Protection?
Google strongly recommends that high-risk individuals—such as journalists, activists, political figures, and business leaders—enroll in the Advanced Protection Program with their Google account. Doing so:
- Enables stronger multi-factor authentication
- Applies critical security settings across all Google apps
- Provides the highest level of automated defense available on Android
By integrating these powerful browser protections directly into Chrome for Android, Google is making it easier for vulnerable users to defend against modern online threats—without sacrificing usability.
