Categories: Security

How Does Google Autofill Use Your Information?

Google Autofill can be a useful tool: it can remember your passwords and account information for various websites, and your personal information such as your home address and credit card information for making purchases. Unfortunately, web browsers don’t automatically block you from malicious websites or even inform you of possible dangers. That means that you could go to a dangerous website that tries to access and collect your Autofill data. Google Autofill may be trying to be helpful, but it could really be putting your personal information in jeopardy by trying to automatically fill out forms you click on, even if you did so by accident.

To browse the Internet safely on your phone, you should activate Anti-Hacking to ensure that you never visit a malicious website or enter your personal information on an unsafe site. Once activated, you’ll be blocked from dangerous sites, in addition to receiving notifications of insecure websites. Click here to activate Anti-Hacking now:

Read More: Does the U.S. Government Value Your Privacy?

What Does Google Autofill Store?

Google Autofill can store your name, home address, business address, phone number, email address, and credit and debit cards. However, it can store any information that you enter, such as if you use a friend’s address or personal information for ordering a package. If a friend or a family member is logged into an account on your computer, Autofill may save their information, too. So it’s not only your information in jeopardy of being stolen.

The Dangers of Google Autofill

It can be dangerous to store your account and credit card information with Autofill, whether you visit a malicious website or not. If your account is hacked, or if your phone or computer are stolen, then you’ve just given a hacker access to all of your account and financial information. They can easily access and view all of the information you’ve stored with Chrome.

To make your personal information is more secure, you should either restrict Autofill’s behavior, or else disable it altogether. You can disable Autofill by going to Chrome’s settings, and then unchecking the box “enable Autofill to fill out web forms in a single click.”

A Common Problem with Autofills

Earlier this year it was reported that Google Autofill — in addition to other web browser and password manager’s autofills — was giving away users’ information to hidden, malicious text boxes on websites. Autofill didn’t need users’ approval before filling out a text box; even if a user intended to give only a name and email address to a website, Autofill would still automatically fill other boxes with your personal information. Or, it could provide unseen, malicious text boxes on the web page with your information. This is all another reason that you should consider disabling Autofill.

PSafe Newsroom

The dfndr blog is an informative channel that presents exclusive content on security and privacy in the mobile and business world, with tips to keep users protected. Populated by a select group of expert reporters, the channel has a partnership with dfndr lab's security team. Together they bring you, first-notice news about attacks, scams, internet vulnerabilities, malware and everything affecting cybersecurity.

Recent Posts

How to identify a spy app on your smartphone

In the United States, the use of spyware apps is a growing concern, affecting mobile…

56 years ago

5 trending digital scams: how AI is making fraud more dangerous

Every day, millions of mobile phone users receive malicious links through SMS, email, or social…

56 years ago

Pix Gains Momentum Abroad: Convenience and Security for Brazilian Travelers

Travel is about new experiences — and making payments without hassle is a crucial part…

56 years ago

Malicious links: what they are and how to protect yourself

Every day, millions of  cell phone users receive malicious links via SMS, email, or social…

56 years ago

Zero Trust: what it is, why it matters, and how dfndr security protects your phone with this concept

Have you heard of Zero Trust? The term is one of the most  important trends…

56 years ago

5 Reasons to Use Biometrics to Secure Mobile Devices

Mobile devices have become essential tools in both our personal and professional lives, but they…

56 years ago