In a significant update for users of Apple’s Safari browser, the latest versions of iOS and iPadOS, specifically 18.4, have introduced a long-awaited feature that enhances security measures for browsing. Previously, Safari on iPhone offered limited options for checking website security certificates, relying solely on a simple lock icon in the address bar. This left users without detailed information on whether a site was genuinely safe to visit. However, with the new update, users can now access comprehensive security details about a website's connection directly within the browser.
To check the security of a website, users simply need to navigate to the site as usual. After reaching the desired page, they tap on the settings icon, followed by the three-dot icon which leads to the website settings menu. In this newly designed interface, users can scroll down to find the 'Connection Security Details' section. By selecting this option, a panel opens up, displaying whether the website is secure along with crucial SSL/TLS certificate information.
The details provided can include a variety of important data points, such as the subject, issuer name, serial number, validity period, public key information, key usage, extended key usage, basic constraints, subject key identifier, authority key identifier, and certificate authority information access. Additional information might also cover the subject alternative name, certificate policy, CRL distribution point, signed certificate timestamp, signature, and fingerprint. This level of detail empowers users to make informed decisions about their online safety.
As web security becomes increasingly critical, another tech giant, Google, has also stepped up its game in combating online scams. In a blog post on May 8, 2025, Google announced that it is leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance protections against scams across its platforms, including Chrome, Search, and Android. This initiative comes in response to the alarming statistic from the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, which reported that consumers worldwide lost over $1 trillion to scams in the previous year.
AI technology has enabled malicious actors to create vast amounts of convincing fake content, posing significant risks to users. Phiroze Parakh, a senior technical director at Google Search, remarked that combating scammers represents an "evolutionary game," where bad actors continuously adapt to the defenses put in place by tech companies. Google has been utilizing machine learning to safeguard its services for some time, but recent AI advancements have improved the ability to understand language and recognize patterns, allowing for faster and more effective fraud detection.
One of the key features of Google Chrome's 'enhanced protection' Safe Browsing mode is its use of an on-device AI model, named Gemini Nano. This model scans websites in real-time for potential threats as users attempt to access them. Because it operates directly on users' devices, this service not only speeds up the scanning process but also enhances user privacy, according to Jasika Bawa, a product manager at Google Chrome.
In practice, this means that if a user tries to access a potentially unsafe website, they will receive a warning before being given the option to proceed. Moreover, Google intends to alert Android users if they receive warnings from suspicious websites on Chrome, enabling them to automatically unsubscribe from notifications if they choose to do so.
Google's commitment to using AI extends to its search capabilities as well. The company has implemented AI to detect fraudulent results and prevent them from appearing in search results, regardless of the device being used. Since the introduction of AI-supported anti-fraud systems in Google Search three years ago, the effectiveness of these measures has dramatically increased, blocking 20 times the number of problematic pages compared to earlier efforts.
In particular, Google has reported an impressive 80% reduction in airline-related scam attacks within its search results. This success underscores the importance of continually evolving technology in the fight against online fraud and the necessity for companies to innovate in order to protect their users.
As both Apple and Google enhance their security measures, users are encouraged to take advantage of these new features to safeguard their online experiences. With the ability to check detailed security information in Safari and the proactive scam protection measures in Google’s platforms, consumers now have more tools at their disposal to navigate the internet safely.
In conclusion, the advancements in web security by both Apple and Google highlight the ongoing battle against online threats and the importance of staying informed about the tools available to enhance personal safety online. As technology evolves, so too must our approaches to protecting ourselves in the digital landscape.
