At CyberStreams, we help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) lock down technology to prevent cyber threats before they become costly incidents. A significant security update from Google Chrome, the world’s most widely used browser, aligns with this mission, and it's a move worth your attention.

Starting in June 2025, Chrome is rolling out a critical security feature inspired by Microsoft Edge: blocking launches with administrative privileges on Windows. This change is designed to minimize the damage caused by malware, malicious downloads, and risky browser extensions, especially those that gain elevated access by exploiting admin-level browsing.

Edge Led the Way; Chrome Now Follows

Since 2019, Microsoft Edge has warned users against running with elevated privileges. It automatically relaunches in standard mode to prevent high-level access unless explicitly required. This "de-elevation" helps limit the fallout from malicious files and extensions.

Google Chrome has now adopted the same strategy. In May 2025, Microsoft engineer Stefan Smolen contributed code to the Chromium project that prevents Chrome from launching with admin rights, unless it's in automation mode. This means that files downloaded through Chrome no longer inherit system-level access, making it harder for malware to hijack entire systems.

Why is this important? In 2024 alone, 35% of security breaches involved malicious browser extensions that exploited elevated privileges, causing significant financial losses to SMBs. One such breach, a 2023 ransomware attack on a retail chain, was traced back to a Chrome extension installed with admin rights. The cost? A staggering $10 million in damages (Zscaler, 2024).

Admin-Level Browsing: A Lingering Risk

While the new feature is a step forward, it's not foolproof. Chrome still allows a command-line switch for relaunching in admin mode. If left unmonitored, this could be misused. Several IT professionals have praised the move on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a long-overdue shift that aligns with enterprise security policies banning admin-level browsing.

Yet many SMBs still lag behind. According to recent stats, 60% of small businesses continue to allow employees to use admin accounts for daily tasks, an open invitation for malware. Even with Chrome’s new protections, misconfigured policies can nullify the benefits.

That’s where we come in. At CyberStreams, we ensure your systems, including browsers follow best-practice security guidelines, like those outlined in the NIST Cyber Security Framework.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

To make the most of Chrome’s new protections, here are three practical actions you can take today:

1. Enforce Standard User Accounts
   Configure employee devices to default to non-admin user accounts when browsing. CyberStreams’ Cyber Fit Assessment helps identify and correct excessive privilege levels.

2. Restrict Browser Policies
   Use tools like Microsoft Intune to block admin-mode browser launches. Enforce this across your organization to prevent accidental (or intentional) misuse.

3. Monitor Extension Activity
   Browser extensions can be a major attack vector. CyberStreams’ SOC & SIEM monitoring services detect and alert on suspicious extension behavior in real-time.

Conclusion

Chrome’s decision to block admin-level launches is a welcome enhancement to browser security, but it's only effective when paired with smart configuration and oversight. Businesses that rely on admin-level browsing remain vulnerable despite these new controls. CyberStreams helps SMBs stay ahead of evolving threats by hardening systems, enforcing best practices, and monitoring for anomalies before they become disasters.

Security isn't just about tools, it’s about how you use them. If your team still browses with admin rights or if your policies are outdated, it’s time to reassess. Contact CyberStreams today to lock down your browser environment and stay secure in 2025 and beyond.