Another update now warning hits Chrome users
Google has just issued a Chrome software update again, just a week after the last critical fix hit users. The stable desktop channel reached 127.0.6533.99/.100 on Tuesday. And while this update affects PCs, Macs and Linux, in reality this is all about Windows, on which Chrome remains the default browser for most users.
This critical update addresses another of the memory bugs that predominate when it comes to critical Chrome vulnerabilities, especially those exploited in the wild. This one impacts the ANGLE graphics engine—again not untypically, and is an out of bounds flaw, meaning an attacker could potentially access memory outside the expected range, which could be used to execute rogue code or destabilize the system.
Google is now looking at ways to address the proliferation of memory issues that affects the browser. Meantime, users need to check the update has downloaded to their PC and then restart their browsers to ensure it installs. You can see the update status under the About Chrome menu option. Chrome users across all desktop and mobile operating systems should do the same, but in reality Windows will always represent the greatest threat, given the regular vulnerabilities with the OS itself.
This update won’t make headlines given the current Chrome news flow, but it’s this type of vulnerability that can be exploited in the wild. There are also five other security risks fixed in this release—all marked high severity, and again all the type of memory or JavaScript vulnerabilities that typically affect Chrome.
Despite all the adverse headlines, Chrome’s desktop market share has actually increased over the last 12-months, and while Microsoft’s persistent marketing is starting to pay off, with Edge having grown its own market share by a huge 25% since this time last year, it remains a distant second to Chrome, with a little under 14% of the desktop user base. Chrome’s lock on a billion-plus Windows users seems secure.
Chrome remains the best choice for Windows users when it comes to performance and features, but a risk when it comes to privacy. The biggest recent issue being Google’s recent u-turn as it “broke its promise” to kill of tracking cookies. So, if you’re sticking with Chrome, just make sure you’ve set your privacy settings correctly.