Chrome Safety Check is a quick built-in review for browser safety. It looks for compromised saved passwords, missing Chrome updates, Safe Browsing status, and risky extensions, then gives you action buttons for anything that needs attention.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Google Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Chromebook, version 91 or later, when you want one place to check browser updates, password breach warnings, malicious-site protection, and extension safety. It is a browser check, not a full computer malware scan.
Run Safety Check
The process is the same on desktop Chrome across Windows, Mac, and Chromebook.
- Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
- Open Settings.
- Choose Privacy and security.
- Open Safety check.
- Click Check now.
- Wait while Chrome reviews saved passwords, updates, Safe Browsing, and extensions.
- Read each result. A green check means that item passed; a warning includes a button for the next step.
Fix what Safety Check finds
Each warning points to a different kind of risk.
- Compromised passwords: Click Review passwords, then change the affected passwords on the real websites. Chrome can warn you, but it cannot secure those outside accounts by itself.
- Chrome update available: Install the update and relaunch Chrome. Save important form work before restarting.
- Extensions flagged: Review extensions Chrome marks as risky, harmful, or removed from the Chrome Web Store. Remove anything unfamiliar or unnecessary.
- Safe Browsing off: Turn Safe Browsing back on so Chrome can warn you before known phishing, malware, and dangerous download sites.
More control
Run it regularly
Most users can run Safety Check manually once a month or after installing new extensions. Some Chrome versions show reminders, but manual checks are still useful.
Use your password manager too
If you save passwords in a dedicated password manager instead of Chrome, Chrome Safety Check may have little to scan. Use that password manager breach-monitoring or password-health feature as well.
It is not antivirus
Safety Check reviews Chrome settings and Chrome-saved data. It does not inspect every file on the computer. Use Windows Security, macOS security tools, or trusted antivirus software for system-level malware checks.
Consider Enhanced protection
Under Settings > Privacy and security > Security, Chrome can use Enhanced protection for more active checking against dangerous sites and downloads. It complements Safety Check but is a separate privacy and security choice.
Sources
- Google Chrome Help – Check your browsing safety in Chrome (2025)
- Google Chrome Help – Check for compromised passwords (2025)
- Google Safety Center – How Google keeps you safe online (2025)