safari safe browsing service unavailable

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Google safe browsing service unavailable on Safari?

• Thread starter Jazzandmetal?
• Start date Jun 26, 2009
• Sort by reaction score
• Mac Basics, Help and Buying Advice

Jazzandmetal?

Macrumors regular.

• Jun 26, 2009

I repaired permissions and this message is still appearing. I have reset Safari and I can't get it to go away. What is this message? It is a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark inside saying Google Safe Browsing is not available at this time. No updates for 1 day.  

macrumors G5

Same thing here... it tells me no updates for 8 days.  

JediMeister

Macrumors 68040.

Go to Safari preferences, to the Security tab. De-select "Warn when visiting a fraudulent website."  

JediMeister said: Go to Safari preferences, to the Security tab. De-select "Warn when visiting a fraudulent website." Click to expand...

• Jun 27, 2009

Jazzandmetal? said: Isn't it safer to have it on.....I mean when it is working? Why is it not working? My friend has the same internet provider and on his two macs he said he isn't getting this. Click to expand...

macrumors 6502a

wrldwzrd89 said: Huh. Mine's suddenly decided to work again. Click to expand...

But I logged into one of my other accounts and Safari is fine. It is just this one. How can I fix this?????  

• Jun 28, 2009

Jazzandmetal? said: But I logged into one of my other accounts and Safari is fine. It is just this one. How can I fix this????? Click to expand...

surflordca said: Safari has come a long way but it has trouble keeping up with Firefox. They say Safari is faster but my pages load in a blink of an eye in Firefox. How much faster do you need Click to expand...

theITGuy said: Are you running Safari 4? Because it blows FF out of the water...although the 3.5 firefox betas are quite snappier... Cheers. -J.- Click to expand...

wrldwzrd89 said: Uncheck it, quit Safari. Relaunch, recheck. That's what made it work for me... I think. Click to expand...

macrumors newbie

• Sep 26, 2009

EssentialParado

Macrumors 65816.

• Dec 7, 2009
• Dec 12, 2009

miss.moo said: Sorry I'm so late in replying on this thread. I have so many problems on my Mac, that I let my mail stack up. I just now read your reply. I have just recently switched to Firefox. If I keep Firefox simple, I think it will work better for me than Safari has been doing. My Accounts Folder in System Preferences has nothing in it. I can't go anywhere because they are asking for my Administrative User Name and Password. I don't know what it is. They want the one that I used when I first set up my iMac Intel Core Duo 3 3/4 years ago. Since it is not written down anywhere, I have tried every username and password I can think of. I get the message that it is invalid, so I can't access, for example. disk utility so I could at least repair my permissions. This is just one problem. I wonder if you can have a crash and not know it. I think I had a crash. Click to expand...

shawnperson

• Apr 13, 2010

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but did anyone find out what this is. I just started this thread https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=9650549#post9650549  

• Apr 15, 2010

Google Safe Browsing Not Available I found this same problem on my Mac this afternoon - have never seen it previously. After finding the Google problem this morning, I did a search for the issue, found the forums here and read the previous posts but none of the other reports seemed to apply to me - I had no new software installs (third-party), I'd never had the problem before, I'd already tried resetting Safari, restarting the computer, and so on. The only things I could think of were the newest security update from Apple (which installed last night before I went to bed), and I also remembered changing one setting about 2 days ago. In System Preferences, Security section, under the Firewall Tab, I had put check in the "Stealth Mode" box (based on recommendations from articles I was reading about security issues). Wanting to make sure I'd tested all the variables before I asked for further help, I went to Firewall Settings and removed the check from "Stealth Mode". I then went back to Safari (I had not closed it), expecting that I would need to restart Safari and maybe even restart my Mac, but to my surprise the yellow triangle was gone. I don't know enough about Mac to say for sure this is the solution for everyone else - just adding my experience & hoping maybe it helps someone out there.  

stevenstromer

• Apr 25, 2011

It's the firewall 1. System Preferences > Security > Firewall 2. If your firewall is on, authenticate by clicking on the lock, select 'Advanced', 'Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming connections', and add Safari to the allowed list by clicking on the '+' sign. OK out, and Safari will be able to reconnect with Google's servers.  

• Apr 26, 2011
• Apr 27, 2011

miss.moo said: When I received your email, I thought it was meant for me only. I checked everything out and I don't see any problems. But then I don't see where I have the choice to 'Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming connections', nor do I see the '+' sign to add Safari to the allowed list. I wish I understood. I don't even know who I have for a server. I have Safari version 4.1.3, and according to my ISP Frontier.com, the Safari I have is unsupported. I can't update it, so maybe I should go to Firefox, except that I don't like Firefox. miss.moo Click to expand...

benhollberg

Macrumors 68020.

• May 2, 2011

My Google Safe Browsing is also down, says it hasn't updated in two days.  

• May 20, 2011

Take a Look Related to "Safe Browsing No Update..." http://code.google.com/apis/safebrowsing/developers_guide.html  

• Oct 18, 2012

EssentialParado said: Try this: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh655.html Click to expand...

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iOS 14.5 Beta Directs 'Safe Browsing' Traffic in Safari Through Apple Server Instead of Google to Protect Personal User Data

Starting with iOS and iPadOS 14.5 , Apple will proxy Google's "Safe Browsing" service used in Safari through its own servers instead of relying on Google as a way to limit which personal data Google sees about users.

Safari on iOS and iPadOS includes a built-in feature called "Fraudulent Website Warning." As Apple describes it, having the feature enabled will prompt Safari to warn users if they're visiting a suspected phishing website, or in other words, a website attempting to steal your data such as username, passwords, and other information.

In order to provide this feature, Apple relies on Google's "Safe Browsing," a database/blocklist of websites crawled by Google of websites that it deems to be suspected phishing or scam. In practice Google sends Safari a list of hashed prefixes of URLs that it determines to be malicious/phishing, Safari then checks the website you're trying to visit against the list from Google. Any match in hashed prefix will cause Safari to request the full URL link from Google, and by using the hashed prefix, Google never sees the website's URL you're trying to go to.

While Google doesn't know which specific URL you're trying to visit, it may collect your IP address during its interaction with Safari. Now on iOS/iPadOS 14.5, that's no longer the case. As confirmed by the Head of Engineering for WebKit, Apple will now proxy Google's Safe Browsing feature through its own servers instead of Google as a way to "limit the risk of information leak."

Screenshots posted on Reddit of incoming/outgoing connections on a device running the latest iOS 14.5 beta shows a new "proxy.safebrowsing.apple" URL, and testing by MacRumors shows the same URL alongside "safebrowsing.g.applimg.com" and "token.safebrowsing.apple" being used to proxy "Safe Browsing."

The new change in iOS and iPadOS is part of a comprehensive set of privacy-focused features for the iPhone and iPad and Apple's recent forceful push towards more stringent privacy features/rules. In addition to the change in "Safe Browsing," iOS 14.5 will also require apps to asks for user's permission before tracking them across other apps and websites.

The new requirement called "ATT" or App Tracking Transparency has caused companies such as Facebook and Twitter to voice concerns about how the new feature will impact their bottom-line, specifically when it comes to personalized advertising.

Another noteworthy feature in the upcoming update is crowdsource reporting for accidents, speed traps, and hazards within Apple Maps . Apple released the first beta to developers and public beta testers last week and says that iOS and iPadOS 14.5 will roll out to the public in the "early spring."

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Top Rated Comments

How does that help when i am logged into my google account?!

I hope they stop taking Google's money and make DuckDuckGo the default search engine. I would be delighted if Apple truly went all in on privacy, it looks like that is the plan as a way to separate them from the pack. The Apple of the next decade should be privacy focused and have very tight control over its supply chain.

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Apple puts additional walls between your browsing data and Google on iOS 14.5

The company will redirect google's safe browsing service through its own servers., safari, firefox, firefox focus and other apps on iphone screen.

Apple’s Fraudulent Website Warning feature has long relied on Google’s Safe Browsing database to protect Safari users from phishing scams, but starting with iOS 14.5, Apple will proxy the service through its own servers to limit the amount of information Google can obtain from you. As MacRumors explains , the database provides Safari with a list of suspected phishing and malware websites. Each time you visit a webpage, Safari checks the URL against the list from Google. When it detects a match, it warns you that you’re about to put your computer at risk.

Like Chrome and Firefox, Safari utilizes Google’s Safe Browsing Update API, which encrypts the full URL using a 32-bit hash prefix. In that way, Google never knows the exact website you tried to visit. However, it can still collect information like your IP address. By proxying the service through its servers, Apple can “ limit the risk of information leak .”

The change is just one of a handful of privacy-oriented updates coming to iOS 14.5 . The other significant one is Apple’s App Tracking Transparency feature, which will require apps to ask you for your permission before they can track you across other apps and websites. Companies like Facebook have come out against the change, and gone so far as to prepare their own notifications before the update is widely available.

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How To Turn Safe Search On In Safari

• Software & Applications
• Browsers & Extensions

Introduction

Ensuring a safe and secure browsing experience is paramount, especially when it comes to safeguarding the online activities of young users. With the proliferation of digital content, it's essential to implement protective measures to filter out potentially harmful or inappropriate material. In this guide, we'll walk through the steps to enable Safe Search on Safari, Apple's widely used web browser. By activating this feature, users can enjoy a more controlled and family-friendly browsing environment, offering peace of mind to parents and guardians.

Enabling Safe Search on Safari involves navigating through the browser's settings to access the Content & Privacy Restrictions. Once inside this section, users can fine-tune the web content settings to limit access to adult websites, thereby creating a safer online space for all users, particularly children and young adults. This proactive approach to online safety aligns with the growing emphasis on digital wellness and responsible internet usage.

By following the step-by-step instructions outlined in this guide, users can easily configure their Safari browser to enforce Safe Search, providing a protective barrier against explicit or mature content. Whether it's for personal use or to supervise the online activities of family members, the ability to activate Safe Search in Safari empowers users to take control of their browsing experience and promote a safer online environment for all. Let's delve into the process of enabling Safe Search on Safari, ensuring a more secure and family-friendly web browsing experience.

Step 1: Open Safari

To initiate the process of enabling Safe Search on Safari, the first step is to launch the Safari web browser on your Apple device. Safari, known for its sleek interface and seamless user experience, is the default browser for iOS and macOS devices, making it easily accessible for a wide range of users. Whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, opening Safari is the initial action that sets the stage for configuring the browser's settings to enhance online safety.

Upon tapping the Safari icon on your device, the browser will swiftly open, presenting the familiar interface that facilitates effortless navigation and browsing. The Safari browser's clean layout and intuitive design make it a popular choice among Apple users, offering a seamless gateway to the vast expanse of the internet.

By launching Safari, users gain access to a myriad of features and functionalities, including the ability to customize browsing preferences, manage bookmarks, and explore a diverse range of websites and online content. As the gateway to the digital realm, Safari serves as the starting point for countless online journeys, and by taking the first step to open the browser, users set the stage for configuring Safe Search settings to promote a more secure and family-friendly browsing experience.

With Safari now open and ready for exploration, users can proceed to the next step in the process of enabling Safe Search, delving into the browser's settings to access the necessary controls for implementing content restrictions and promoting a safer online environment. This pivotal first step sets the foundation for the subsequent actions that will culminate in the activation of Safe Search, reinforcing the commitment to online safety and responsible web usage.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the proactive measures taken to enable Safe Search on Safari underscore the importance of fostering a secure and wholesome online environment, particularly for younger users. By embarking on this journey within the Safari browser, users demonstrate a dedication to promoting digital wellness and safeguarding online experiences, aligning with the broader efforts to cultivate a safer and more responsible internet culture.

In summary, opening Safari marks the initial phase in the process of enabling Safe Search, laying the groundwork for configuring the browser's settings to enhance online safety and promote a more controlled and family-friendly browsing environment. This foundational step paves the way for the subsequent actions that will culminate in the activation of Safe Search, underscoring the commitment to fostering a secure and wholesome online experience for all users.

Step 2: Go to Settings

After successfully launching the Safari web browser, the next crucial step in the process of enabling Safe Search involves navigating to the browser's settings. This pivotal action allows users to access the array of configurable options and preferences that define their browsing experience, including the essential controls for implementing Safe Search and content restrictions.

To access the settings within Safari, users can tap the "Settings" icon on their Apple device's home screen. This action seamlessly transitions users from the browser interface to the broader settings menu, where a multitude of device-specific configurations and preferences are housed. The "Settings" icon, adorned with its distinctive gear symbol, serves as the gateway to a comprehensive array of options that empower users to customize and tailor their device's functionalities to suit their preferences and requirements.

Upon tapping the "Settings" icon, users are greeted with a user-friendly interface that presents a diverse range of categories and options, each offering a unique set of configurations and controls. From managing device connectivity and notifications to fine-tuning display and accessibility settings, the "Settings" menu serves as a centralized hub for personalizing the user experience across various aspects of the device's functionality.

Within the "Settings" menu, users can seamlessly navigate through the intuitive interface to locate the specific controls related to Safari and web browsing. This includes the ability to configure content restrictions, privacy settings, and other parameters that directly influence the browsing environment. By venturing into the "Settings" menu, users gain access to a wealth of options that enable them to tailor their browsing experience, ensuring that it aligns with their preferences and requirements.

As users delve into the "Settings" menu, they are presented with a wealth of options and configurations that cater to diverse aspects of the device's functionality. From managing user accounts and passwords to customizing app-specific settings, the "Settings" menu offers a comprehensive suite of controls that empower users to personalize their digital experience.

In summary, navigating to the "Settings" menu within Safari represents a pivotal step in the process of enabling Safe Search, as it grants users access to a wealth of configurable options and preferences that define their browsing environment. By seamlessly transitioning from the browser interface to the broader settings menu, users gain the ability to fine-tune their browsing experience, reinforcing the commitment to online safety and responsible web usage.

Step 3: Select Screen Time

Upon accessing the "Settings" menu within Safari, the subsequent step in the process of enabling Safe Search involves selecting the "Screen Time" option. This pivotal action directs users to a comprehensive suite of controls and insights that empower them to manage and monitor their device usage, including the ability to enforce content restrictions and promote a safer online environment.

The "Screen Time" feature, synonymous with Apple's commitment to digital wellness, offers users a holistic view of their device usage patterns, app activities, and overall screen time. By selecting "Screen Time" within the "Settings" menu, users gain access to a wealth of functionalities designed to foster a balanced and responsible approach to digital engagement.

Upon tapping the "Screen Time" option, users are greeted with an insightful dashboard that provides an overview of their daily device usage, app activities, and screen time trends. This comprehensive snapshot empowers users to gain a deeper understanding of their digital habits, enabling them to make informed decisions about their online activities and screen time management.

Within the "Screen Time" interface, users can explore a range of features, including app usage statistics, device downtime scheduling, and content and privacy restrictions. This multifaceted approach to digital wellness equips users with the tools to cultivate a healthier and more mindful relationship with their devices, aligning with the broader efforts to promote responsible and balanced technology usage.

By selecting "Screen Time" within the "Settings" menu, users demonstrate a proactive stance towards managing their digital interactions and fostering a secure online environment. The integration of content and privacy restrictions within the "Screen Time" framework underscores Apple's commitment to empowering users to curate a safer and more controlled digital experience, particularly for younger audiences.

In summary, the action of selecting "Screen Time" within the "Settings" menu represents a pivotal step in the process of enabling Safe Search on Safari. By delving into the multifaceted features offered within "Screen Time," users gain the insights and controls necessary to promote digital wellness, enforce content restrictions, and cultivate a secure and family-friendly browsing environment. This proactive approach aligns with the broader efforts to foster responsible and balanced technology usage, underscoring the commitment to promoting a safer and more mindful digital landscape.

Step 4: Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions

Having navigated to the "Screen Time" section within the "Settings" menu, the subsequent pivotal action in the process of enabling Safe Search on Safari involves tapping into the "Content & Privacy Restrictions" feature. This essential step grants users access to a comprehensive suite of controls and configurations that empower them to fine-tune the content and privacy settings within their Safari browser, thereby fostering a more secure and family-friendly browsing environment.

Upon tapping into the "Content & Privacy Restrictions" option, users are presented with a wealth of configurable settings that encompass various aspects of content filtering and privacy management. This inclusive suite of controls enables users to customize their browsing experience, ensuring that it aligns with their preferences and requirements, particularly in terms of promoting a safer and more controlled online environment.

The "Content & Privacy Restrictions" interface serves as a centralized hub for implementing a range of protective measures, including the ability to restrict access to explicit content, manage app usage, and enforce privacy settings. This multifaceted approach underscores Apple's commitment to empowering users to curate a secure and wholesome digital experience, aligning with the broader efforts to promote responsible and balanced technology usage.

Within the "Content & Privacy Restrictions" section, users can seamlessly navigate through a diverse array of settings, each offering a unique set of configurations and controls. This comprehensive suite of options encompasses content restrictions, privacy settings, and other parameters that directly influence the browsing environment, providing users with the tools necessary to foster a safer and more family-friendly online space.

By tapping into the "Content & Privacy Restrictions" feature, users demonstrate a proactive stance towards managing their digital interactions and promoting a secure online environment. This pivotal action underscores the commitment to online safety and responsible web usage, particularly in the context of creating a protective barrier against explicit or mature content.

In summary, tapping into the "Content & Privacy Restrictions" section within the "Screen Time" interface represents a crucial step in the process of enabling Safe Search on Safari. By accessing the comprehensive suite of controls and configurations offered within this feature, users gain the ability to fine-tune their content and privacy settings, fostering a more secure and family-friendly browsing environment. This proactive approach aligns with the broader efforts to promote responsible and balanced technology usage, reinforcing the commitment to cultivating a safer and more controlled digital landscape.

Step 5: Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions

After accessing the "Content & Privacy Restrictions" section within the "Screen Time" interface, the pivotal next step in the process of enabling Safe Search on Safari involves turning on the "Content & Privacy Restrictions" feature. This fundamental action empowers users to activate a comprehensive suite of controls and configurations designed to fine-tune the content and privacy settings within their Safari browser, thereby fostering a more secure and family-friendly browsing environment.

By turning on the "Content & Privacy Restrictions" feature, users initiate the process of implementing protective measures to filter out potentially harmful or inappropriate material, particularly explicit or mature content. This proactive approach underscores the commitment to online safety and responsible web usage, aligning with the broader efforts to promote a secure and wholesome digital experience.

Upon enabling the "Content & Privacy Restrictions" feature, users gain access to a wealth of configurable settings that encompass various aspects of content filtering and privacy management. This inclusive suite of controls enables users to customize their browsing experience, ensuring that it aligns with their preferences and requirements, particularly in terms of promoting a safer and more controlled online environment.

The activation of "Content & Privacy Restrictions" within the Safari browser represents a proactive stance towards managing digital interactions and fostering a secure online environment. This pivotal action underscores the commitment to promoting a safer and more family-friendly online space, aligning with the broader emphasis on digital wellness and responsible internet usage.

In summary, turning on the "Content & Privacy Restrictions" feature within the "Screen Time" interface marks a crucial step in the process of enabling Safe Search on Safari. By activating this feature, users gain the ability to fine-tune their content and privacy settings, fostering a more secure and family-friendly browsing environment. This proactive approach aligns with the broader efforts to promote responsible and balanced technology usage, reinforcing the commitment to cultivating a safer and more controlled digital landscape.

Step 6: Tap Content Restrictions

Upon enabling the "Content & Privacy Restrictions" feature within the "Screen Time" interface, the next pivotal step in the process of enabling Safe Search on Safari involves tapping into the "Content Restrictions" section. This essential action grants users access to a comprehensive suite of controls and configurations that empower them to fine-tune the content settings within their Safari browser, thereby fostering a more secure and family-friendly browsing environment.

By tapping into the "Content Restrictions" section, users gain entry to a wealth of configurable settings that encompass various aspects of content filtering and access management. This inclusive suite of controls enables users to customize their browsing experience, ensuring that it aligns with their preferences and requirements, particularly in terms of promoting a safer and more controlled online environment.

Within the "Content Restrictions" interface, users can seamlessly navigate through a diverse array of settings, each offering a unique set of configurations and controls. This comprehensive suite of options encompasses content filtering, website access management, and other parameters that directly influence the browsing environment, providing users with the tools necessary to foster a safer and more family-friendly online space.

By tapping into the "Content Restrictions" section, users demonstrate a proactive stance towards managing their digital interactions and promoting a secure online environment. This pivotal action underscores the commitment to online safety and responsible web usage, particularly in the context of creating a protective barrier against explicit or mature content.

In summary, tapping into the "Content Restrictions" section within the "Screen Time" interface represents a crucial step in the process of enabling Safe Search on Safari. By accessing the comprehensive suite of controls and configurations offered within this feature, users gain the ability to fine-tune their content settings, fostering a more secure and family-friendly browsing environment. This proactive approach aligns with the broader efforts to promote responsible and balanced technology usage, reinforcing the commitment to cultivating a safer and more controlled digital landscape.

Step 7: Select Web Content

Upon navigating to the "Content Restrictions" section within the "Screen Time" interface, the pivotal next step in the process of enabling Safe Search on Safari involves selecting the "Web Content" option. This critical action empowers users to access a comprehensive suite of controls and configurations designed to fine-tune the web content settings within their Safari browser, thereby fostering a more secure and family-friendly browsing environment.

By selecting "Web Content," users gain entry to a wealth of configurable settings that encompass various aspects of web content filtering and access management. This inclusive suite of controls enables users to customize their browsing experience, ensuring that it aligns with their preferences and requirements, particularly in terms of promoting a safer and more controlled online environment.

Within the "Web Content" interface, users can seamlessly navigate through a diverse array of settings, each offering a unique set of configurations and controls. This comprehensive suite of options encompasses web content filtering, website access management, and other parameters that directly influence the browsing environment, providing users with the tools necessary to foster a safer and more family-friendly online space.

By selecting "Web Content," users demonstrate a proactive stance towards managing their digital interactions and promoting a secure online environment. This pivotal action underscores the commitment to online safety and responsible web usage, particularly in the context of creating a protective barrier against explicit or mature content.

In summary, selecting "Web Content" within the "Content Restrictions" section represents a crucial step in the process of enabling Safe Search on Safari. By accessing the comprehensive suite of controls and configurations offered within this feature, users gain the ability to fine-tune their web content settings, fostering a more secure and family-friendly browsing environment. This proactive approach aligns with the broader efforts to promote responsible and balanced technology usage, reinforcing the commitment to cultivating a safer and more controlled digital landscape.

Step 8: Choose Limit Adult Websites

Upon reaching the pivotal stage of the process to enable Safe Search on Safari, the next crucial step involves choosing to "Limit Adult Websites." This fundamental action empowers users to implement a robust safeguard against accessing explicit or mature content, thereby fostering a more secure and family-friendly browsing environment.

By opting to "Limit Adult Websites," users activate a stringent filter that restricts access to websites containing adult content, ensuring a safer and more controlled online experience. This proactive measure aligns with the broader commitment to promoting digital wellness and responsible internet usage, particularly in the context of creating a protective barrier against potentially harmful material.

Upon selecting "Limit Adult Websites," users effectively fortify their browsing environment, creating a protective shield that filters out explicit or mature content. This proactive approach underscores the dedication to online safety and responsible web usage, particularly in the context of promoting a secure and wholesome digital experience.

The activation of the "Limit Adult Websites" feature within Safari represents a pivotal step in the process of enabling Safe Search. By implementing this protective measure, users reinforce their commitment to fostering a secure and family-friendly online space, aligning with the broader emphasis on digital wellness and responsible internet usage.

In summary, choosing to "Limit Adult Websites" within the Safari browser marks a crucial step in the process of enabling Safe Search. By activating this feature, users fortify their browsing environment, creating a protective barrier against explicit or mature content and promoting a safer and more controlled online experience. This proactive approach aligns with the broader efforts to foster responsible and balanced technology usage, reinforcing the commitment to cultivating a safer and more controlled digital landscape.

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How to optimize safari for maximum privacy.

Like other modern web browsers, Apple's Safari has a few features that send your data over the Internet.

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Pick which browser data your mac syncs, control what safari does with your searches, choose phishing and malware protection, manage privacy options.

Like other modern web browsers, Apple's Safari has a few features that send your data over the Internet. For example, Safari sends all your searches to Apple with the default settings. We don't recommend you disable all these features, as they do useful things. But we'll explain what the various options do so you can make informed decisions.

If you just want to browse privately without leaving tracks on your own PC, open a private browsing window by clicking File > New Private Browsing Window.

The macOS operating system synchronizes your Safari browsing data, including your bookmarks, open tabs, and saved passwords, to iCloud  if you sign into your Mac with an Apple ID. This allows you to access your saved data on other Macs, iPhones, and iPads. You can also restore this data quickly on a new Mac just by signing in with the same Apple ID.

To control which data your Mac syncs, click Apple menu > System Preferences > iCloud.

If "Safari" is checked here, your Mac will synchronize your Safari browser data. If "Keychain" is checked, your Mac will synchronize passwords you've saved in Safari and other applications.

To access search settings, launch Safari, click Safari > Preferences, and click the "Search" icon at the top of the window.

• Include search engine suggestions : As you type in Safari's address bar, Safari will send your keystrokes to the search engine you select here. You'll see suggested searches appear as you type. If you disable this, Safari will only send your searches to your search engine when you press Enter to search.
• Include Safari suggestions : As you type in Safari's address bar, Safari will send your keystrokes and your geographical location to Apple's servers. Safari will then show you suggestions for content like news, and Wikipedia articles, weather information. If you disable this option, Safari won't send your searches or location to Apple.

Related: How to Disable Spotlight's Web Searches on Mac, iPhone, and iPad

If you don't want Safari sending your searches over the Internet as you type, you may also want to disable online searches in the Spotlight search feature on your Mac . This will prevent Spotlight from sending your searches to Apple and Bing, but you won't see suggestions and search results from the web in Spotlight.

The other settings here aren't as relevant to privacy, but here's what they do:

• Enable Quick Website Search : When you search on a website, Safari can remember you've searched that website. You can then quickly allow you to search that website again by typing the name of the website followed by your search into Safari's address bar. Click "Manage Websites" here to see which websites Safari has remembered. Safari will only send information over the web if you specifically choose to search a website.
• Preload Top Hit in the background : When you're typing in the address bar, Safari may choose to preload the top search result in the background to save you time. If you disable this feature, Safari will never load a search result until you choose it.
• Show Favorites : Safari shows your favorite websites below the search field. If you disable this option, Safari won't display your favorites here. This is only a privacy concern if you're worried about people seeing your favorites over your shoulder while you type in the address bar.

On the Security pane in Safari's preferences window, the "Warn when visiting a fraudulent website" option is enabled by default. Like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, Safari uses the Google Safe Browsing service to attempt to protect you from dangerous phishing and malware websites.

When this option is enabled, Safari automatically downloads a list of known-dangerous websites from Google and keeps it up to date. When you visit a web page, Safari checks if its address appears on the list. If it does, Safari sends the full address to Google to verify if the web page is actually dangerous. If it is, Safari blocks it and shows you a warning page instead.

In summary, Safari contacts Google to download a list of dangerous websites. Safari will only send the address of web pages you visit to Google if you appear to be visiting a dangerous website that appears on the list.

We strongly recommend you leave this option enabled, as it helps protect you from fraudulent and malicious websites.

The "Privacy" pane contains options that control what websites can do, including:

Related: Clearing Your Cookies All the Time Makes the Web More Annoying

• Cookies and website data : By default, Safari accepts cookies from websites you visit. Websites require cookies to keep you logged in and save your browsing preferences, but they are also used for tracking web advertising. You can choose to block cookies from here, but then you won't be able to sign into websites and the web will be much more annoying . The "Allow from current website only" feature is a bit more aggressive and will block some tracking cookies from third-party websites. These are often used for advertising tracking, but can be used for other purposes.
• Website use of location services : This option controls whether websites can access your precise geographical location via location services. Websites always have to ask for your permission before viewing your location. To prevent websites from asking for your location , select "Deny without prompting".
• Website tracking : The "Ask websites not to track me" option is disabled by default. If you enable it, Safari will send a "Do Not Track" request with your web browsing traffic. This is just a request, and most websites will ignore it . "Do Not Track" isn't a silver bullet.
• Apple Pay : You can "Allow websites to check if Apple Pay is set up" on your Mac. if you don't want to use Apple Pay on websites in Safari , feel free to disable this option.

Your Mac automatically keeps Safari and the rest of your operating system up to date. You can manage your update settings by heading to System Preferences > App Store, but you shouldn't prevent Safari from updating. Whatever browser you use, it's crucial you have the latest version with the latest security updates to stay safe online . If you don't, malicious websites you visit will be able to attack your Mac through your browser.

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Thread: The Google safe browsing service is unavailable in safari

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I want to use Google Safe browsing on Safari web browser. It is actually not working properly. I had tried I fixed permissions now also this message is still displaying. I had also tried resetting the settings of Safari browsing but it is not helping much. I am looking for some help through which I can make it work properly and I can get what I am looking for.

Google Safe Browsing is an easy feature by Google that runs in the background. If it is not working then you can try testing the same on any other browser which I think will surely work. That is the only way to resolve this issue. You have to test that different browsers on by one. There can be certain addons also that can cause the problem. You can try turning them off and resetting the browser settings back to default.

There is one more way to use safe browsing. You can try turning on private browsing which is quiet similar to that. I am using this usually in Firefox. I open a private tab where it does not save my history at all. It is good if you dont want others to know what you are actually searching for. It is the fastest way to enable this feature. For more security there are more things you can try out. Like you can use a third party addon that can put more in the browser security.

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How Safari in iOS 14.5 limits which personal data Google sees about you

Safari in iOS and iPadOS 14.5 further limits the risk of information leak by proxying safe-browsing services via Apple servers to prevents user data from being returned to Google.

Maciej Stachowiak , Apple’s head of WebKit, has confirmed on Twitter that Safari in iOS 14.5 users a copy of Google’s Safe Browsing database that’s hosted on Apple’s own servers. Doing so helps further safeguard users’ privacy while using the company’s Safari browser.

How Safe Browsing works

Google Safe Browsing  powers Apple’s Fraudulent Website Warning feature in Safari, which was designed to alert you when the site you’re about to visit is a suspected phishing website, a fraudulent website that masquerades as a legitimate one or a website that hosts malware.

The Safari & Privacy document on the Apple website states that Safari may use the Google Safe Browsing feature to determine if a website is fraudulent.

Before vs. after

The 8-Bit explains that Safari sends a hashed version of the URL to Google Safe Browsing to check if it’s a suspected fraudulent website. While the actual website address is never shared with the safe-browsing provider (it’s sent in an encoded form), Apple acknowledges that safe-browsing providers may log your IP address when information is sent to them.

This article is a bit confused on the details of how Safe Browsing works, but in the new iOS beta, Safari does indeed proxy the service via Apple servers to limit the risk of information leak. https://t.co/TlDZNMO8do — Maciej Stachowiak 🇵🇱🇺🇦 (@othermaciej) February 11, 2021

With the change in iOS 14.5, Safari no longer pings the Safe Browsing database hosted on Google’s server. Rather, it uses an Apple proxy along with a copy of a database hosted on its own servers. This effectively stops user data from being returned to Google.

And when can I use this feature?

Apple is currently testing iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 with its registered developers and public beta testers. The updates are currently at beta 1, which Apple released last week . There will be at least a couple more betas before Apple declares so-called release candidates. As for when the general public might be able to enjoy the new featurs, the updates are dropping this spring.

No, we don't send URLs to the server, that would obviously be crazy bad, even with a proxy. The article seems confused about how the flow works. — Maciej Stachowiak 🇵🇱🇺🇦 (@othermaciej) February 11, 2021

We need to point out that Apple might ultimately drop this new Dsafari feature from shipping versions of iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5. It wouldn’t be the first time a new feature was present in an iOS beta release only to mysteriously disappear from the commercial release.

Safari’s Fraudulent Website Warning feature

At present, there’s no user-facing switch available to tell Safari to proxy the Google Safe Browsing service. It seems to be one of those under-the-hood features that work on autopilot to protect user privacy. However, you can disable Apple’s Fraudulent Website Warning feature.

To do so, venture into Settings → Safari on your device, then slide the switch labeled “Fraudulent Website Warning” to the OFF position. With the feature disabled, Safari will no longer flags websites known to be malicious in nature.

You’re wholeheartedly recommended to keep this helpful feature turned on. Doing so will ensure you receive a warning before visiting a fraudulent website that masquerades as a legitimate one, such as a bank, financial institution or your email service provider.

Other new Safari features in iOS 14.5

Safari in iOS 14.5 is also getting support for third-party extensions that will allow you to customize your New Window and New Tab pages . And with its App Tracking Transparency initiative, apps will need to seek user permission for tracking across other apps and websites.

To make accessing your saved Safari passwords easier on non-Apple platforms, the company has now released the iCloud Passwords extension for the Windows version of Chrome .

Google and Apple also continue to play a game of cat and mouse in terms of Picture-in-Picture support for YouTube videos in Safari. The current iOS 14.5 beta has now reinstated PiP support for YouTube videos in Safari , but it probably won’t last long as Google has gone to great lengths to disable the feature before.

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safari Safe Browsing Service Unavailable?

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By cooky560 April 14, 2012 in Apple (macOS)

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Cooky560 veteran.

Basically going through Safari Prefs I saw this:

I've tried using Onyx to clear Safaris Cache's otherwise I have no idea what's going on here, is this particularly important? Please advise.

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In a way yeah, if you use Safari a lot to browse, it keeps a list of "naughty sites".

Do you use Little Snitch or some other outbound filtering firewall that might be interfering with the update?

Nope, just the firewall thats built in.

Yea, mine says it hasn't been able to update for 2 days. That's a far cry from 19, but it's still perplexing. :p

Edit : Scratch that. It just updated.

It says 20 days now, I'm getting concerned

+virtorio MVC

Check your hosts file to make sure there isn't anything wrong in there

If you don't know how to easily do that, open TextEdit, press CMD+O, type "/" and enter "/etc/hosts".

Can't see anything unusual in hosts, but I copied it into here just to be sure

That all looks fine.

A couple of long shots:

- repair permissions, in case you've somehow lost write permissions to wherever that information is stored

- change your DNS (to say, the Google one) in case something has gone wrong at that end

With all the recent malware on mac osx popping up, I'd ensure your protection is working. I'd be a good way to reinfect you if they disabled the site checks.

If that is how they infected you originally. Not saying that you are, but best to check anyway.

Also, I assume it downloads a small list of sites it knows are dodgy since it was last updated. So maybe the cache of that is broken. Have you tried going into the hidden files and seeing if there is anything there that can be related to it, move the files/folders and try again.

Which files are directories does this involve?

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If Safari doesn't open a page or work as expected on your Mac

If Safari doesn't load a webpage, stops responding, quits unexpectedly, or otherwise doesn't work as expected, these solutions might help.

These solutions are for issues that can affect Safari on Mac, including issues such as these:

A webpage is blank, doesn't load all of its content, or otherwise doesn't work as expected.

You can't sign in to a webpage, despite using the correct sign-in information.

A webpage asks you to remove or reset cookies.

Safari slows down, stops responding, or quits unexpectedly.

Reload the page

From the menu bar in Safari, choose View > Reload Page. Or press Command-R.

If Safari doesn't reload the page, quit Safari, then try again. If Safari doesn't quit, you can press Option-Command-Esc to force Safari to quit .

If Safari automatically reopens unwanted pages, quit Safari, then press and hold the Shift key while opening Safari. Learn how to control which windows Safari automatically reopens .

Install software updates and restart

Update macOS , which can include updates for Safari. If your Mac didn't restart automatically, choose Apple menu  > Restart. Some important background updates take effect only after restarting.

Check Safari extensions

If you installed any Safari extensions, turn extensions off. From the menu bar in Safari, choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences). Click Extensions, then deselect each extension to turn it off. Learn more about Safari extensions .

If you find that an extension is causing the issue, make sure that the extension is up to date.

Test with a private window

A website can store cookies, caches, and other data on your Mac, and issues with that data can affect your use of the website. To prevent the website from using that data, view it in a private window: From the menu bar in Safari, choose File > New Private Window, or press Shift-Command-N.

If that works, use the following steps to remove the website's data, including its caches and cookies. The website can then create new data as needed. If it's a website that you sign in to, make sure that you know your sign-in information before continuing.

Choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences), then click Privacy.

Click Manage Website Data.

Select the affected website from the list shown.

Click Remove.

Click Done.

Open the website again in a non-private browser window.

Check Safari settings

The webpage might not be compatible with one or more browser settings, which you can turn on or off as needed. From the menu bar in Safari, choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences). Then click Websites, Privacy, or Security to access these settings:

Privacy settings . These settings apply to all websites. For example, a website might require that you allow cross-site tracking, show your IP address, or allow cookies.

Security settings . These settings apply to all websites. For example, a website might require that you enable JavaScript.

Websites settings . These settings can be configured for specific websites. For example, a website might require that you allow pop-up windows, allow downloads, allow access to your camera or microphone, or turn off content blockers.

Check iCloud Private Relay

If you subscribe to iCloud+ and are using its Private Relay feature, try reloading the page without Private Relay: From the menu bar in Safari, choose View > Reload and Show IP Address. This menu item appears only when Private Relay is turned on for your network. Learn more about iCloud Private Relay .

Check VPN or other security software

If you installed VPN or other software that monitors or interacts with your network connections, that software could affect your use of the website or the internet. Learn about network issues related to VPN and other software .

Check network settings

Certain network settings, such as custom proxy settings or custom DNS settings , can affect access to content on the internet. Even if you haven't changed these or other network settings yourself, you might have installed software that changed them for you.

To find out whether the issue is with the network settings on your Mac, try viewing the page from a different web browser or different device on the same network. Or reset your network settings by setting up a new network location on your Mac.

If the issue affects other devices and web browsers on the same network, the issue is probably with the website, and you should contact the website developer for help.

If the issue continues to affect only a particular webpage, contact the website developer for help.

Learn how to block pop-up ads and windows in Safari .

Learn what to do if your iCloud or Safari bookmarks aren't syncing .

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Home » Mac » How to Fix Apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service Taking Up Memory on Mac

How to Fix Apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service Taking Up Memory on Mac

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Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions . Please review EULA and Privacy Policy .

When you’re using your Mac, it is normal to notice spikes in the usage of some processes. However, these increases in CPU and memory usage usually resolve on their own after some time and everything goes back to normal. Most of the time, you don’t have to do anything about it because it will flatten out or go back to its normal curve later on.

One of the processes Mac users usually have a problem with is the apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service. Several users noted that apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service is eating RAM and memory resources more than the usual. In some cases, the usage rises up to 98% or even 100%, rendering their Mac unusable because it is no longer responding.

This issue has caused a lot of frustration to the affected user because they don’t know what’s causing the increase in usage. Sometimes it happens out of the blue, even when you’re just browsing the internet. It often goes unnoticed because the user will only find out something is wrong when your Mac becomes extremely slow or your screen freezes. And when Activity Monitor is checked, the user discovers that apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service is taking up memory on Mac.

If the usage spike continues for several minutes and it is affecting the performance of your Mac, you need to find out the reason why apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service is eating RAM and CPU resources excessively and try to bring it down to normal levels.

Pro Tip: Scan your Mac for performance issues, junk files, harmful apps, and security threats that can cause system issues or slow performance.

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What Is Apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service on Mac?

Ordinary Mac users are not really familiar with the Apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service, even though they have been using their Macs for years. This is normal because you can’t expect users to know each and every macOS process.

Apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service or the Safari Safe Browsing is a security feature that protects your privacy and safeguards your data when browsing the internet. It flags websites that are known to be malicious in nature.

When this feature is turned on when you visit a website, Safari checks the URL against a database of known malicious websites and a warning is displayed if the website you are trying to visit is suspected of fraudulent activities, such as malvertising or phishing .

However, this feature became controversial in the later part of 2019 because it seemed like apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service is sending the user’s information, including IP address to Google or Tencent. Tencent is a Chinese company that works like Facebook, and it owns the WeChat mobile app. This has raised security concerns among Safari users who are paranoid about their online security.

However, Apple denied these accusations and said that the actual URL of the website you are trying to visit and your IP address is not shared with these companies.

Why Is Apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service Using Up Memory and RAM?

The apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service taking up memory on Mac is a huge puzzle for most affected users. Sometimes the spike happens even though they are not trying to visit any URL and it also happens when Safari is closed. This makes them suspect the apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service to be malicious.

In most cases, apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service is eating RAM and CPU resources due to corruption in the Safari browser itself, particularly with the files related to the Safari Safe Browsing feature. Malware is the most common culprit that causes corruption in macOS. If this is the case, you need to scan your computer for any presence of malware and get rid of it completely.

This scenario can also happen when your Safari browser is outdated and does not work well with macOS. This is particularly true for those who have upgraded their macOS to Catalina or Big Sur .

What To Do If Apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service Is Using Up Memory

If your Mac’s apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service is consuming too much memory or CPU resources, you need to get it back to normal levels to prevent further issues. Here are some of the steps you need to take:

Step 1. Close Safari.

Sometimes this problem is caused by a temporary bug and goes away after restarting your browser. You need to completely close Safari by clicking Safari > Quit Safari from the top menu or pressing Command + Q. You can also use the Force Quit menu if Safari is not responding. Once you have completely quit Safari, click its icon from the Dock to launch it again and see if apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service is no longer causing trouble.

Step 2. Restart Your Mac.

If restarting your Safari browser did not help, you need to take it a step further by rebooting your Mac. Close all running apps and click Apple menu > Restart, or simply press the power button, then press it again to turn it back on. Once you have restarted macOS, open Safari again and check if apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service is still causing trouble.

Step 3. Disable Safari Safe Browsing.

If this error is causing you too much trouble and you’re quite confident that the websites you are visiting are safe, you can disable this feature using the steps below:

• Open Safari , then click Safari from the top menu.
• Choose Preferences , click on the Security button.
• Uncheck the Warn when visiting a fraudulent website option.

Restart Safari and check if the issue has disappeared.

Step 4: Clean Up Your Mac.

Corrupted files and malware can cause various errors on your Mac, including processes consuming too much computer resources. You need to clean up your computer with a reliable Mac cleaner to delete corrupted and unnecessary files on your computer. You should also run a scan of your macOS to detect and delete any threats.

Step 5: Update Safari.

If your Safari version is outdated, it might be having trouble working with your updated OS, so you need to update it. Check the Mac App Store and check the Updates tab to see if there is a pending update for Safari. If there is, install it immediately and restart your browser.

Final Thoughts

Apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service using up memory is a simple problem that can be easily resolved by following the instructions above. If all of them fail, you need to reinstall Safari and see if this finally fixes your problem.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

the google safe browsing service is unavailable,, no fix only temporarily

I've recently got this warning and tried every fix online, deleting the safari db folders only worked for a few days,,, has anyone any knowledge on this, and is the safe browsing not being available that big of deal on a mac, running current yosimeti and safari,, thx Jason

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Jul 31, 2015 4:37 PM

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Jul 31, 2015 4:40 PM in response to appleteam6

Try this discussion > google safe browsing service is unavailable

Aug 14, 2015 8:02 AM in response to Carolyn Samit

tried it all, even sat with a senior advisor on the phone for hours, deleted safari db folders and it worked for a couple days, then back again and now can't find the safari db folders anymore!

Aug 15, 2015 7:36 AM in response to appleteam6

With that Finder window as the front window, either select Finder/View/Show View options or go command - J. When the View options opens, check ’Show Library Folder’. That should make your user library folder visible in your user/home folder. Select Library./Caches/com.apple.Safari/Caches.db and move it to the trash.

Aug 15, 2015 9:39 AM in response to Eric Root

I gave that a shot, but it didn't give me any options to show library folder?? i can't even find my library folder anymore,,,

Aug 15, 2015 9:58 AM in response to appleteam6

i found the library, theres so much cache stuff, including a google safe browsing folder not sure what to delete, a lot more there than when i looked previously, should i delete all the safari db stuff

Sep 12, 2015 7:46 PM in response to appleteam6

Start with the one I suggested. If that doesn't work, then delete the others.

You will need to quit Safari/restart to generate a new .db.

Sep 13, 2015 8:45 AM in response to Eric Root

well i got that done and it worked for about 2 weeks, when i go to delete them now its says i can't because there still in use?? i did work great for a bit though, can't figure out why i can't delete the cache safari.db?? such a boggler, and thats the same thing apple support has me do each time, why would it suddenly tell me i can't delete them

Sep 21, 2015 6:47 PM in response to appleteam6

Try restarting the computer and making sure Safari isn't open.

Sep 19, 2015 9:25 AM in response to Eric Root

well that worked, so far the longest its worked is 2 weeks, is it ok to just dump those caches everytime the warning pops up, id rather do that then wipe my computer clean and install from a back up, thx for the help, is this an issue you have as well?

Sep 20, 2015 6:51 AM in response to appleteam6

You are welcome. You can empty the caches as required, as they will get rebuilt. I don't have this problem, but I don't use any Google products/software.

Sep 21, 2015 5:15 PM in response to Eric Root

thx a lot, if ya don't mind what do you run, I'm finding I'm not a fan of googles stuff either!

Sep 22, 2015 6:35 AM in response to appleteam6

You are welcome. Safari with Firefox as a backup. Chrome isn't loaded on the computer.

Oct 8, 2015 10:57 AM in response to appleteam6

well that worked for a bit, after updating to El capitan it worked for about a week, now when I go to delete safe browsing db, its no longer there, just safe browsing.db-shm and safe browsing.db-wal, can't find the original safebrowsing.db any more,

Oct 8, 2015 10:59 AM in response to appleteam6

and when i go to library and delete the regular safari.db it doesn't do anything either

Oct 8, 2015 11:09 AM in response to appleteam6

update 10 minutes later the google safe browsing unavailable warning disappeared??? so frustrating, is the google safe browsing even important enough to worry about? thx