5 Top Things IT Admins Need When Using About Google Chrome

Even though the famous Google product is the most used browser in the world, it is also a frequent target of cyber attacks. Since IT administrators are tasked with managing overall network operations, they are also responsible for a smooth experience if the enterprise is using Chrome which itself provides many extensions IT admins can use to improve overall productivity, or you can simply integrate with trusted third-party sources. 

In this blog, we are going to look at the five most important things IT administrators need to know when using Google Chrome. 

Using Proxy Extensions To Enhance Security And Control

Everyone dealing with technologies acknowledges the value of third party software and services to enhance their safety net. The stakes multiply when it comes to web browsers that absorb so much valuable data, and can be considered the gateway between us and the external world. A proxy extension for Chrome is an important tool all IT administrators must use if they are looking to improve their security policies, monitor traffic, and control access across their corporate networks. 

Proxy extensions are basically proxy add-ons offered by the Chrome Web Store that act as middlemen between you and the website you are trying to connect with. This enables administrators to filter content, prevent any unauthorised access, and maintain compliance. 

An IT administrator needs to use a proxy extension for the following reasons:

• Blocking Malicious Websites: A proxy extension makes sure your data is protected after entering a suspicious website by identifying and blocking access to phishing sites and domains that are known for hosting malware. 
• Preventing Data Leaks: A proxy extension can prevent leaks by masking IP addresses and controlling data transfers which reduces data exposure. 
• Enforcing Web Access Policies: IT admins can use a proxy extension to enforce web access policies. These can include things like URL filtering and restricting employees from accessing non-work related or high-risk websites. 
• Monitoring Traffic in Real-Time: IT professionals can also use a proxy extension to track browsing behaviour and detect any suspicious behaviour before it escalates. 
• For example, enterprise-grade proxy extensions can be used to get rid of any security risks and enforce web access policies. 

Managing Chrome Security Settings And Group Policies

Chrome has built-in security settings and group policies that can allow IT admins to control browser configurations across an entire organisation. It’s important that they know about these security features to protect every user within the network.

Some of the key security features IT administrators should configure are: 

• Safe Browsing Mode: The Safe Browsing Mode is a popular security feature that warns the user before they enter a harmful website or download suspicious files.
• Password Manager Controls: IT administrators can also enforce password policies with Chrome’s Password Manager controls to prevent employees from simply saving credentials in the browser. 
• Site Isolation: They can also implement site isolation to protect users against cross-site scripting attacks among other incidents the number of which has been growing recently. It works by separating web pages into different processes. 

Controlling Extensions And Third-Party Integrations

Chrome extensions are widely used due to their functionality, but they also come with security risks. There are many extensions that are harmful and can leak company data, track browsing activity, and even install malware. 

To avoid this, IT admins should create an approved list of extensions and update them in Chrome which employees can install. The best way is to use Google Chrome’s Extension Install Blocklist to allow IT teams to prevent users from installing risky extensions and managing all extensions in one go. 

Ensuring Data Privacy And Compliance Management

Every organisation dealing with data must make sure they are compliant with data protection laws. IT administrators are responsible for ensuring compliance and when using Chrome, they can review Chrome’s privacy settings to control how data is used. 

Some data privacy measures IT admins can make in Chrome are: 

• Disabling Third-Party Cookies to prevent tracking
• Managing website permissions to prevent sites from accessing sensitive data
• Conducting regular audits to review browser logs

Performance Optimisation And Troubleshooting

A slow browser can reduce productivity, frustrate employees, and slow down operations. IT admins need to optimise Chrome for speed, stability, and efficiency and troubleshoot any potential performance issues. 

IT administrators can improve Chrome’s performance by managing resource usage and limiting background processes to reduce memory consumption. In addition to this, hardware acceleration can be implemented to improve performance by giving processing tasks to the GPU. It’s also worth regularly clearing cache and cookies to avoid browsers slowing down and to improve loading times.