As you are well aware Google Chrome is my browser of choice (read as “my favorite”). The others are all fine and I used to be a Firefox supporter, but years ago I switched and have not looked back.
Today I have a few new items Google has added to the browser that may interest you. Some were added with the latest version 65 rollout on the first part of March.
First off, Google updates their browser every month or two so you may already have it. Sometimes it is a version behind. If you are reading this and want to check your version do this. Click the three dots in the upper right corner of Chrome, choose “Help” then “About Google Chrome.” You will see the current version and it will automatically start upgrading if it is behind.
Next, Chrome has not visually changed over the past few years so you may not see any differences with this new version. But the program is constantly changing in ways you may not see. This latest release for Windows, MAC and Linux had fixes for 45 vulnerabilities which may sound scary but is really not a tremendous amount. Also, of those, you will not really “see” any of them. It is interesting to note that these bug finds are paid out by Google to the public if they can find actual issues. For this version, it is reported that they paid $22,000 for those bug-finds.
Chrome developers have also added more power to the built-in pop-up blockers. It will now distinguish links to 3rd party websites that try to take control of your browsing. In the past, some would send you to sites that may be prepped to take advantage of you.
One of the biggies in this newest version that I really appreciate it the site mute option. Several versions ago if a page started playing a video with loud volume you had to stop the sound on your computer. A version or so later you could right-click the browser tab and choose to stop the sound. However, when you closed the tab or the browser and came to the site again later…bang, the sound was back. Now Chrome has a “Mute site” choice when you right-click the tab. This will shut down the sound on the entire site, even after you close the browser. If you want to hear it next time you visit, right-click the tab again and choose, “Unmute site.” If you do not physically unmute it, it will remain silent on that computer.
Google has also added a multitude of site-specific settings to the browser. If you are visiting a site and wish to take a look at what you can control, first be careful. You can click the “I Not secure” icon or the “Secure” and see some site information. You can click the “site settings” link and see many other things you can allow or restrict for the specific site. If you have questions about what they are or how they work, Google for “chrome site settings back.” Replace “abcd” with the item for which you are looking for help. Be cautious and remember if something is wrong you can always choose “Reset site settings.”
