Blog | G5 Cyber Security

Chrome Sync Security: Risks & Fixes

G5 Cyber Security

TL;DR

Yes, Chrome sync can be infected, but it’s usually your account (Google Account) that’s compromised, not the sync feature itself. Protecting your Google Account with strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and regularly checking security settings is key. We’ll cover how to spot problems and what to do.

How Chrome Sync Can Be Affected

Chrome sync stores your bookmarks, history, passwords, autofill information, extensions, and settings in your Google Account. If someone gains access to your Google Account, they can access all this data through Chrome sync on any device you’re logged into.

1. Identifying a Compromised Sync

  1. Unexpected Changes: Notice bookmarks, extensions, or settings changing without your input.
  2. Suspicious History: See browsing history entries you didn’t make.
  3. Password Issues: Chrome prompts you to re-enter passwords for sites you usually stay logged into.
  4. Extension Problems: New, unfamiliar extensions appear in your browser.
  5. Google Account Activity: Check your Google Account activity (see Step 2) for unusual logins or app permissions.

2. Checking Your Google Account Security

Your first step is to review your Google Account security settings.

  1. Sign in to your Google Account: Go to myaccount.google.com
  2. Security Tab: Click on the ‘Security’ tab.
  3. Recent Security Activity: Review the ‘Recent security activity’. Look for any logins from locations or devices you don’t recognise.
  4. Two-Step Verification: Enable Two-Step Verification (2FA) immediately if it isn’t already on! This adds an extra layer of security, requiring a code from your phone in addition to your password.
  5. Third-party access: Review ‘Third-party apps with account access’. Revoke access for any apps you don’t recognise or no longer use.

3. Resetting Chrome Sync Data

If you suspect your sync data is compromised, resetting it can help.

  1. Sign out of Chrome: Sign out of your Google Account in Chrome on all devices.
  2. Clear Browsing Data: In Chrome settings (Ctrl+Shift+Delete), clear ‘Browsing history’, ‘Cookies and other site data’, and ‘Cached images and files’. Make sure the time range is set to ‘All time’.
  3. Disable Sync (Temporarily): In Chrome settings, go to ‘You and Google’ > ‘Sync and Google services’ and turn off sync.
  4. Sign Back In: Sign back into Chrome with your Google Account.
  5. Choose What to Sync: When prompted, carefully select what data you want to sync. Start with a minimal set of data (bookmarks only) and monitor for issues before syncing more.

4. Password Security

A strong, unique password is essential.

  1. Strong Passwords: Use a long, complex password with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  2. Password Manager: Consider using a reputable password manager to generate and store strong passwords for you.
  3. Regular Updates: Change your Google Account password regularly (every 3-6 months).

5. Extension Security

Malicious extensions can compromise your sync data.

  1. Review Extensions: Regularly review the extensions installed in Chrome (chrome://extensions). Remove any you don’t recognise or no longer need.
  2. Official Web Store: Only install extensions from the official Chrome Web Store.
  3. Permissions: Pay attention to the permissions an extension requests before installing it. Be wary of extensions that ask for excessive permissions.

6. Malware Scan

Run a full system scan with a reputable antivirus/anti-malware program.

# This is just an example - use your preferred anti-virus software!
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